An Ethernet dongle is an external device that connects to a computer or other hardware, allowing an Ethernet cable to enter where no entry port was previously available. This type of device typically connects through an existing port, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and effectively acts as a converter for the type of cable. These devices can be beneficial in many situations, such as for use with a computer that does not have an Ethernet port or if the port is no longer working. An Ethernet dongle can also refer to a device that plugs into an Ethernet port to provide other types of functionality.
An Ethernet dongle allows the entry of Ethernet cables.
Sometimes also called an Ethernet adapter, an Ethernet dongle generally refers to a device that plugs directly into a computer or similar hardware. This is in contrast to a bridge or router that connects via cable to one or more separate systems. The dongle typically connects to a computer, or similar device, through a different type of port, usually a USB port. This allows you to use the USB port to connect an Ethernet cable to your computer or device, which can be beneficial for creating a local area network (LAN).
Ethernet cables are often used to make physical connections to routers.
Ethernet cables are commonly used for data transmission, especially between two computers or between computers and a router. Some older computers may not have an Ethernet port, and using an Ethernet dongle allows those computers, which still have USB ports, to connect to a network more easily and effectively. A dongle can also be useful in a situation where a computer’s motherboard no longer recognizes the card’s Ethernet adapter and port. New software may need to be installed to help the adapter recognize the adapter, and a dongle can be used to connect the computer to a network to download the necessary software.
An Ethernet dongle can also refer to a device that plugs into the Ethernet port of a computer or device and then allows other types of connectivity through that port. Some of the most common types of dongles that plug into an Ethernet port are wireless dongles or adapters. This type of Ethernet dongle will typically be fairly small in size with a small antenna. Once the wireless dongle is connected, your device or computer can connect to a wireless network and send and receive data as if it were connected via an Ethernet connection.
