HCS Blog

iPad Ethernet Rig

Note: iOS 9.x adjusted the sensitivity to USB bus power and so some older hubs don't work any more.
We tested it with a new Belkin F4U073 and it worked.


Items Needed:

• iOS Device
• Powered USB Hub
• USB Ethernet Adapter
• USB A to USB B Cable or a USB A to USB A Cable (An A-A cable would be unusual, but will depend on the hub. Use the cable that came with the USB Hub)
• Lighting to USB Adapter
• Ethernet Switch/Router

• Disable WiFi and cellular data on the iOS Device.
• Connect one end of the ethernet cable into a free port on the switch, and the other end into the ethernet port on the USB Ethernet Adapter.
• Connect the USB end of the adapter to any of the USB ports on the USB hub.
• Connect the USB A cable to the USB hub.
• Connect the power cable for the USB hub to the hub and plug the other end into a wall outlet.
• Connect the USB end of the Lighting to USB Adapter to the other end of the USB cable that came with your USB hub.
• Connect the Lightning end of the adapter into your iPad.

When you connect a power source to an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch a familiar charging chime sound will trigger from the device, indicating that a cable is attached and the device is getting power. If you like hearing that auditory confirmation that a device is getting power, you can add the exact same audio playback feature to any MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. This requires OS X Yosemite (10.10.3 or better).

1. Disconnect the Mac from the MagSafe power source
2. Open the Terminal app, found in /Applications/Utilities
3. Enter the following command: 

defaults write com.apple.PowerChime ChimeOnAllHardware -bool true; open /System/Library/CoreServices/PowerChime.app &

4. Hit Return
5. Re-connect the MacBook power supply to hear the chime

The command below will ping the ip address three times and for each response, your default OS X alert sound will play.  The -a flag in the command below means Audible.  And if not obvious, the -c means ping count.

ping -c3 -a 192.168.1.100

Enter the following command in Terminal:

sudo launchctl config user umask 000


Get info on other versions of OS X here:  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201684

Open Terminal and type:

nano .bash_profile

At the bottom of your .bash_profile, add these lines and save the file.

NOTE:  If you use a Dark terminal theme, use this:

export CLICOLOR=1
export LSCOLORS=GxFxCxDxBxegedabagaced


NOTE:  If you use a Light terminal theme, use this:

export CLICOLOR=1
export LSCOLORS=ExFxBxDxCxegedabagacad


Once your .bash_profile is saved, enter the command below:


ls -alh

The output should now be in different colors.