LevelOne USB-0401 Rev. 1 LAN adapter, RJ-45, USB-A 2.0 [plug] Manual
PDF manual · 16 Pages
English
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Adds Gigabit Ethernet via a single USB-A 2.0 port without opening the PC
- Plug-and-play with hot swapping and Wake-on-LAN support
- Low power consumption suitable for laptops
- LED indicators for speed, link/activity and USB status
- Broad legacy OS driver support for Windows and Mac
Disadvantages
- USB 2.0 bandwidth may limit sustained gigabit throughput in some scenarios
- Bundled drivers target older OS versions; modern OS support may require downloads
- Requires an available USB-A port and a CD-ROM for bundled installer
- Physical size and cable can block adjacent USB ports on cramped systems
- No built-in advanced features like VLAN tagging or hardware offload
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Frequently Asked Questions
While the adapter supports 10/100/1000 Mbps on the Ethernet port, USB 2.0 has a theoretical limit (~480 Mbps) which can bottleneck sustained gigabit transfers. For many everyday tasks you’ll see significantly improved stability over Wi‑Fi, but true 1 Gbps throughput may be constrained by the USB interface.
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The adapter ships with drivers for Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7, and Mac OS 10.3/10.4 (32/64-bit and PowerPC). For modern OS versions, check LevelOne’s support site for updated drivers or rely on built-in OS drivers where available.
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There are three LEDs: a 10/100/1000M LED (green for 100/1000 Mbps, off for 10 Mbps), a Link/Act LED (green for valid link, blinking for activity, off for no link), and a USB Link LED (green when the adapter has a valid USB connection).
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Use Category 3/4/5 for 10BASE-T, Category 5 for 100BASE-TX, and Category 6 (or better) for reliable 1000BASE-T performance. Proper cabling ensures stable link negotiation at the intended speeds.
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The device complies with CE, FCC and VCCI Class B electromagnetic emission standards. In residential settings it must not cause harmful interference; if interference occurs, the user may need to resolve it as required by FCC rules.
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Yes. The adapter is USB‑bus powered and designed for low power consumption, making it suitable for laptops. However, very old or low‑power USB ports may limit performance or require a powered hub.
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Yes, the LevelOne USB-0401 supports Wake-on-LAN, allowing compatible systems and drivers to wake the host over the network when configured properly in the OS and BIOS.
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Product Description
LevelOne USB-0401 Rev. 1 LAN adapter — Compact USB-A 2.0 Gigabit Ethernet
The LevelOne USB-0401 Rev. 1 LAN adapter is a compact USB-A 2.0 to RJ-45 network adapter designed to bring wired Gigabit connectivity to laptops and desktops without opening the case. Supporting USB 1.0/1.1/2.0 and IEEE 802.3 standards, it delivers reliable 10/100/1000 Mbps connections with low power draw, making it especially useful for mobile users who need stable network access for file transfers, VoIP, streaming, or conference calls.
This plug-and-play adapter features LEDs for link speed, link/activity and USB connection status so you can quickly diagnose link conditions. It supports full and half duplex modes, IEEE 802.3x flow control, Wake-on-LAN and hot swapping for convenient deployment. The package typically includes the adapter, a driver & manual CD, and a quick installation guide.
Hardware-wise the USB-0401 uses a single USB-A port and one RJ-45 gigabit Ethernet port. It accepts UTP Category 3–6 cabling depending on the negotiated speed and reports activity through dedicated LEDs. System requirements are modest: a Pentium-class or better PC, an available USB port, and a CD-ROM drive for bundled drivers. Native driver support is provided for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 and Mac OS 10.3/10.4 (32/64-bit and PowerPC variants), with step-by-step installation via auto-install or the Found New Hardware wizard.
Installation is straightforward: plug the adapter into a USB port, connect an Ethernet cable to a switch or hub, and follow the OS-specific driver prompts. The adapter supports low-power USB bus operation and is CE/FCC/VCCI Class B certified for electromagnetic compatibility and emissions, ensuring suitability for both home and commercial environments when used per instructions.
Small and portable, the USB-0401 is ideal for users needing a dependable wired alternative to wireless networks, offering a simple way to add gigabit Ethernet to ultrabooks, older laptops, or systems lacking built-in NICs. Its LED indicators and broad compatibility make it a practical tool for IT technicians and end users alike.
Notes
- Choose cable categories per speed: Cat3/4/5 for 10BASE-T, Cat5 for 100BASE-TX, Cat6 for 1000BASE-T.
- Ensure drivers match your OS version; bundled CD contains installers for legacy systems.
- Device complies with FCC Part 15 and CE EMC requirements; operation may require interference correction in residential environments.
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