Home internet setup

[Snowreap]

I don't think those USB/Ethernet converters are what you think they are. they look more like USB network interfaces to me, meant to allow you to connect to a Gigabit Ethernet network even if you have no expansion card slots available.

I've done a bit of reading in the past on the topic of USB port extenders, and the expert opinion is that you can't do it without violating the USB spec (http://www.usb.org/developers/usbfaq#cab1). in practice, if you use what's known as an "active cable" or a "repeater cable" you can do this, but as far as I can tell you'd still technically be out-of-spec. for example: use this repeater cable (http://www.monoprice.com/products/produc...1&format=2) and plug in a powered hub at the far end for your keyboard and mouse.

-ken