nDroid over Ethernet

[cooper43]

It may seem wierd to use an Android tablet with Ethernet but that is what I do with my Transformer Prime via anEthernetto USB connector. This is for the sole purpose of streaming uncompressed OTA HD video captured from Npvr to the tablet. Works great, just disable WiFi, connect it up an it works. Want to stream live tv too so nDroid is perfect. Only issue is it seems to only work over WiFi or mobile? Could you make it work with Enet?

Thanks,
Steve

[bgowland]

In theory yes would be the answer but I'm not sure what I'd need to do nor potential impact on the current code base. Perhaps an option in the Setting area under an 'Advanced Settings' sub-menu would allow you to tell it to use a 'wired' connection. I expect it's a fairly uncommon requirement so I don't want to build in automated support into the main code (at least not straight away).

I'll need to see how the USB adapter appears to Android though. I don't think the current nDroid version logs a full list of available networks but I can knock up a simple test app which will generate a list that you could let me have. If you're happy to give it a go I can have something later tonight.

Cheers,
Brian

[cooper43]

Would be great and I will definately test it if you don't mind adding the option. Thank you so much.

Steve

[bgowland]

Hi Steve,

I've got a basic test app done but realised I need a bit more info (never worked with Android and USB before).

1. Is your USB ethernet adapter powered by the USB port on your Android tablet? Possibly not important but I thought I'd ask.
2. What version of Android are you using? The Transformer Prime is relatively recent so I'm guessing v3.x. As long as it's v3.1 or above that might make things easier.

Cheers,
Brian

[imilne]

Yep, the Prime shipped with 3.x but ICS is available for it now. No idea about the usb though.

Iain

[cooper43]

Sorry for the delay.

Am running ICS Android version 4.0.3 right now. NOTE the Ethernet to USB only works with ICS -- I couldn't get it to work in prior versions. The USB is fully powered by the tablet. Its the same Ethernet to USB as used on the Wii -- works great.

cheers,
Steve

[bgowland]

OK thanks guys.

Steve - I've PM'd you a link to the test app.

For general reference, USB support was introduced in Android v2.3.x in a limited form. As of v3.1 onwards more extensive support was added and hasn't changed since then.

USB support in general, however, is considered optional and left to the device manufacturers as to whether they implement it. I expect the v3.x version(s) that shipped with the original Primes simply didn't have a full implementation which they later fixed for ICS.

Cheers,
Brian

[cooper43]

Brian,

Not sure if my PM worked so I thought I would respond here as well. I followed your instructions and ran your app with both the Ethernet attached as well as Wifi. I think Enet takes priority in this case. Hope this helps.

Thank you for enabling this support.

Steve

ConnectivityManager devices: Count = 7

TypeName: mobile
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: WIFI
SubTypeName:
State: CONNECTED
DetailedState: CONNECTED
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: mobile_mms
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: mobile_supl
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: mobile_hipri
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: BLUETOOTH_TETHER
SubTypeName:
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: ETHERNET
SubTypeName:
State: CONNECTED
DetailedState: CONNECTED
Extra Info: NONE


UsbManager devices: Count = 1

DeviceName: /dev/bus/usb/001/033
DeviceClass: 255
DeviceSubclass: 255
DeviceProtoclol: 0
ID: 0
InterfaceClass: 255
InterfaceSubclass: 255
InterfaceProtoclol: 0

[bgowland]

Thank you for enabling this support.

Not 100% guaranteed yet but I'll see what I can do.

This does look promising however...

Code:

    TypeName: ETHERNET
    SubTypeName:
    State: CONNECTED
    DetailedState: CONNECTED
    Extra Info: NONE

I think we found how your USB ethernet adapter looks to the system. OK, that seems a little obvious but TypeName: ETHERNET is not a standard entry I've ever seen. I bet if you run the test app again with the adapter unplugged that entry won't be in the list.

I'll add an extra bit to the test app and see if we can get it to talk to the nDroid Service over ethernet. I'll let you know when it's ready.

Cheers,
Brian

[cooper43]

Interesting... I pulled out the Enet connection, left everything else the same and...
ConnectivityManager devices: Count = 7

TypeName: mobile
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: WIFI
SubTypeName:
State: CONNECTED
DetailedState: CONNECTED
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: mobile_mms
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: mobile_supl
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: mobile_hipri
SubTypeName: UNKNOWN
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: BLUETOOTH_TETHER
SubTypeName:
State: UNKNOWN
DetailedState: IDLE
Extra Info: NONE

TypeName: ETHERNET
SubTypeName:
State: DISCONNECTED
DetailedState: DISCONNECTED
Extra Info: NONE


UsbManager devices: Count = 0



So ETHERNET remains but show disconnected...


Steve