# RJ45 as extension board **URL:** \ **Category:** uConsole\ **Tags:** tinkering, hardware\ **Created:** [July 10, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908 "2024-07-10T11:31:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dogsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c89c15/32.png) [@Dogsch](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Dogsch)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/1 "2024-07-10T11:31:16Z")
I have been contemplating getting a uconsole for a while. I generally really like it, but it would be genuinely super useful for me as a network debugging tool. Missing an RJ45 is the only thing that prevents me from ordering one. Especially since the WiFi seems to be pretty bad. Extension boards seem to be a good idea unless there is a new revision coming anytime soon, but I haven’t seen anybody working on something like it, and honestly I’m not even sure if the extension port opening is big enough for one. Did anybody who owns one researched this a bit more? ---
**Author:** ![mikeschnier](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/mikeschnier/32/9697_2.png) [@mikeschnier](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/mikeschnier)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 11:55am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/2 "2024-07-10T11:55:24Z")
As USB 2.0 seems to be the IO bottleneck on this board, you might as well get a USB ethernet adapter. ---
**Author:** ![Dogsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c89c15/32.png) [@Dogsch](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Dogsch)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/3 "2024-07-10T12:52:18Z")
It’s not really about speed but convenience. It doesn’t need to be anywhere near gigabit. A 100Mbit connection would be already a lot more than one would need for the this type of tinkering. I admit I haven’t looked at the extension board connections, but an integrated USB Ethernet port would be a possibility AFAIK, since USB is feasible on the extension. ---
**Author:** ![blyck](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/blyck/32/8317_2.png) [@blyck](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/blyck)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/4 "2024-07-10T13:36:16Z")
I use a uHub and then use a usb-c ethernet dongle. The uHub shows out of stock on Tindie but the seem to pop up as in stock from time to time. [https://www.tindie.com/products/quadbit/uhub/](https://www.tindie.com/products/quadbit/uhub/) ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/5 "2024-07-10T14:18:03Z")
you could put one on the inside like this person did. there is a internal usb solder pads you can connect to. > [@uConsole Mods USB, RJ45 Networking and more](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/uconsole-mods-usb-rj45-networking-and-more/13440): > > Hey guys, I’ve come up with a few mods for my uConsole, inspired by some other posts. This uConsole contains: 1x DollarTec 4x USB 2.0 Hub 2x USB 2.0 external ports 1x RJ45-USB network dongle 1x external SMA connection for the onboard antenna 1x external SMA connection for an additional WLAN dongle. I am planning an additional USB WLAN dongle with monitoring and packet injection capabilities The soldering work isn’t pretty but unfortunately I only use a very cru… ---
**Author:** ![mikeschnier](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/mikeschnier/32/9697_2.png) [@mikeschnier](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/mikeschnier)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/6 "2024-07-10T14:55:02Z")
Yeah, the connection would top out around ~43MB/s or ~360Mbps. Should be fine for what you’d want to do but just wanted to set expectations. ---
**Author:** ![Dogsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c89c15/32.png) [@Dogsch](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Dogsch)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/7 "2024-07-10T16:15:41Z")
I saw this and it is quite brilliant. I think it’s the right idea for an official v2 implementation, but to be honest it doesn’t look too sturdy, and currently the screwed down nature of the expansion port seems to be a better option for me. But again, maybe even the expansion port route is not physically possible without cutting the case which I personally don’t really want to do considering how well made it is. Overall I’m just surprised that no one really seem to care about it. ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/8 "2024-07-10T16:21:00Z")
I have to use ethernet usually 1-2 a day at work I just use a usb-c to RJ-45 network dongle. it does only connect as a 10/100 but i only need to to push some configs so it’s more then enough. ---
**Author:** ![barry99705](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/barry99705/32/6771_2.png) [@barry99705](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/barry99705)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/9 "2024-07-10T16:23:42Z")
![Screenshot_$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S)](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/8/898c2abe4da9ec1befb3f399157ad87a740ea804.jpeg) Dell usb3 ethernet adapter speedtest to a linux vm on my desktop over the network. Plenty fast enough. ---
**Author:** ![wopid](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/wopid/32/9437_2.png) [@wopid](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/wopid)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 6:15am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/10 "2024-07-12T06:15:27Z")
Has anyone managed to find free USB devices on the 4g expansion board? Can you show it clearly? ---
**Author:** ![PotatoMania](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/potatomania/32/8072_2.png) [@PotatoMania](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/PotatoMania)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 8:54am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/11 "2024-07-12T08:54:04Z")
The opening to expose the expansion board’s ports hardly fits an RJ45 port, at least I cannot find a suitable part. The metal shell may need some modifications. I use a USB adapter when it’s necessary. WiFi is bad, and is probably because of the metal shell and antenna arrangement. ---
**Author:** ![fip](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/fip/32/6958_2.png) [@fip](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/fip)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 10:38am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/12 "2024-07-12T10:38:54Z")
Although I do not have a uConsole, I am quite interested in this thread. What are the dimensions of the cutout anyway, because I may have found [a socket](https://mou.sr/3XYpJgQ) that might fit. Anyhow, if there’s enough space I may be able to help by sharing the schematics for my dual ethernet and serial cartridge, I should publish those anyway sooner than later. ---
**Author:** ![barry99705](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/barry99705/32/6771_2.png) [@barry99705](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/barry99705)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/13 "2024-07-12T15:41:08Z")
Yea, even with my external antenna mod I’m only getting 36MB down and 28MB up with iperf. ---
**Author:** ![barry99705](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/barry99705/32/6771_2.png) [@barry99705](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/barry99705)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 3:42pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/14 "2024-07-12T15:42:35Z")
55mm wide, 10mm tall. ---
**Author:** ![lis6502](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/lis6502/32/9916_2.png) [@lis6502](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/lis6502)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/15 "2024-07-12T16:39:07Z")
WDYM by “wifi is bad”? Asking seriously, after re-placing antena it isn’t a speed daemon (R-01 isn’t meant to be one anyways :D) but connection is rock solid stable. ---
**Author:** ![lis6502](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/lis6502/32/9916_2.png) [@lis6502](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/lis6502)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/16 "2024-07-12T16:59:56Z")
> Did anybody who owns one researched this a bit more? i own it but i haven’t had need to do researches. Once receiving my unit i had really bad experience with wifi. “No biggie” i though and plugged my trusty RTL based TP-Link FE adapter. I am generally not a fan of dongles of any kind, but using one with µConsole was clunkiness of its own kind. This device is ment to be portable, while i can lay on bed with laptop and not notice stiff cord going out of my device, its surely noticeable from handheld device. Typing on it while being “leashed” is something between using smartphone plugged to charger and watching a movie on a tablet without a stand ;d. Not sure if i conveyed experience but it was annoying to the point where µConsole was left plugged to charger and ethernet and i was using it over ssh, trying to troubleshoot wireless. I suppose that even dedicated “network expansion card” won’t change much in this manner because weigth balance would be disturbed by dangling cord anyways. One might neglect that, for me even in rare use cases it’s unacceptable. Maybe RJ sitting on top of the device and rather in center would have more sense but expansion card’s slot is fixed so without drilling and milling “top center” isn’t really an option. You might find this a bit unrelated, but in network debugging scenario i would rather use some wireless-to-ethernet bridge like good old Ovislink 5450 AP which has this option and manage wires over such “local wifi”. Don’t get me wrong, i run wires everywhere it’s possible and before buying i though “huh, why such capable device doesn’t come with ethernet jack by default” but once i got my device it was obvious that only CRT display builtin would be more wierd experience than using µConsole on a leash. ---
**Author:** ![fip](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/fip/32/6958_2.png) [@fip](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/fip)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/17 "2024-07-12T17:03:19Z")
dang, just short by one mm. Tough I think you might just get away with having the socket facing the inside, perhaps a RJ45 plug does not exceed the height including the clip. That also depends tough on the stackup between the EXT and the main board. ![idea](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/a/a3987a3403554a4a81b7e6ec8e8b8fc3cefaf776.png) ---
**Author:** ![PotatoMania](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/potatomania/32/8072_2.png) [@PotatoMania](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/PotatoMania)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/18 "2024-07-12T17:04:57Z")
You replaced the antenna right? At least you modify the original antenna arrangement. What I would like to express is the disappointment with the original design. BTW I feel that 2.4G WiFi and Bluetooth never work in harmony on uConsole. Bluetooth audio often stutters when there’s load on 2.4G WiFi. ---
**Author:** ![lis6502](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/lis6502/32/9916_2.png) [@lis6502](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/lis6502)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/rj45-as-extension-board/13908/19 "2024-07-12T17:19:10Z")
Actually i just unglued antena from it’s “by the manual” position to other, like changing polarization. Nothing major really. But i need to point that i am using mainboard’s NIC, as R01 doesn’t come with NIC of its own. > I feel that 2.4G WiFi and Bluetooth never work in harmony on uConsole From my experience it isn’t isolated to µConsole. My Dell laptop also drops few 2.4G packes while connected to bluetooth - anything really. Once BT transfer starts (even smooth constant bluetooth mouse movement) wifi starts to drop.