How can I connect the Easy Transfer cable for two Ubuntu 12.04 PCs? Both have a 3.2 linux kernel (the cable packaging states support for 3.0+), and they recognize the Prolific Technology chipset, but I can’t connect to share files…
When one or both computers are connected to the cable, a “connecting” or “thinking” animation will appear in the panel, but it’ll stop after 10-15 seconds and say “Wired network Disconnected”.
Thanks for posting. For Windows Easy Transfer cables of any brand (which all uses the PL-25x1 family chipset), there is an open source driver in kernels 3.0+ (and source for earlier versions). But there is no automatic configuration, and no higher-level syncing of files. It is a raw peer network connection only, with no DHCP.
That means that the network level interface needs to be manually configured to give each side an IP address (e.g. http://jonmccune.wordpress.com/2008/1… ).
And then FTP or some equivalent file transfer mechanism can be used, by specifying those IP addresses. But it’s nothing as automatic as the Windows experience.
Probably the reason why Ubuntu 12.04 is showing connecting … disconnected is because of nobody to play the DHCP role and no IP address is automatically assigned without steps like in the link above.
Except for very advanced users who have a specific use in mind for a point-to-point manually configured network connection, we don’t recommend use of the product with Linux.
We don’t ever want customers stuck with product that won’t work for them. Returns within 30 days are easy through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/css/returns/… ), and please feel free to contact us if it’s after (support@plugable.com).
Sorry for the potentially bad news, but thanks again for posting for the details! This answer might help others understand the situation on Linux better.
Thank you very much for the prompt reply. I think I understand some of what the Linux configuration entails, but I couldn’t get it to work; it doesn’t seem like what I had in mind, anyway.
I had thought the Linux support meant that the drives/partitions of one computer would be recognized as removable drives/partitions on the other – I interpreted the “no migration” note as the lack of a tailored software interface for guided transfers. I was primarily interested in a means of connecting via USB for syncing folders between a linux netbook and desktop. I noted that the Windows Easy Transfer functionality was there, as advertised (and it seems like a fine device for that), it just wasn’t why I bought it.
Thanks, again, for the prompt and informative response. Your customer service is fantastic.
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