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Using the XR Series USB-C port as a network interface
Using the XR Series USB-C port as a network interface

Using the XR Series USB-C port as a network interface, XR Series, XR80, XR90

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Written by Sierra Wireless
Updated over a week ago

Description

USB-C Network connection on XR

The XR series routers have a USB-C port that supports both Serial and Network operation. This procedure is for using the network capability on Windows 10 and Mac OS/X-based systems; an increasing number of new laptops do not have traditional Ethernet ports but nearly all have USB-C ports which can be used for network connections. This connection process has also been tested and verified connecting to older laptops with USB 3.0 but with the older USB-A style connecter, and has worked reliably the same as with newer USB-C systems.

Note that the XR system used for this test had the default LAN address set to 192.168.80.0/24 and IPv6 enabled.

Step-by-step guide

Windows 10

  1. Plug in a data-capable USB-C cable between your Windows 10 computer and the XR router. Your computer will require an internet connection to proceed. (Note: some USB-C cables are power-only, and will not work for a data exchange).

  2. Your Windows 10 computer will indicate that it is automatically setting up a virtual COM port. It will then confirm that the installation is complete. You can verify the status in the Notification Center.

3. Go to Windows Updates and check for Optional Updates and select the Acer Incorporated – Other Hardware – USB Ethernet/RNDIS Gadget. (This may not be available if your computer used an internal corporate Windows update server.)
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4. After this initial setup, you can use the Device Manager to verify the presence of the “USB Ethernet RNDIS Gadget” in the Network Adapters list.
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5. You can open up a Command prompt window and type “ipconfig” to confirm that the network is available and the adapter has been assigned address(es).
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MacOS Big Sur (tested on 11.2.3)

  1. Plug in a data-capable USB-C cable between your MacOS computer and the XR router. Your computer will require an internet connection to proceed. (Note: some USB-C cables are power-only, and will not work for a data exchange).

  2. In System Preferences, open the Network center and verify that the RNDIS/Ethernet Gadget appears and is connected.
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Labels: XR80, XR90

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