3-Port Portable USB 3.0 Hub plus Gigabit Ethernet - Aluminum with Built-in Cable

Prior to installing this device, ensure that your operating system is up to date (for example, you have installed the most recent service pack).

To install the driver:

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website (http://www.startech.com/Support). You can find the part number and product ID on the product’s packaging.

Note: Windows will typically save the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).

2. Once the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, select Extract All, and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Select the appropriate folder for your operating system.
4. Right-click Setup.exe.
5. Click Run as Administrator.

Note: If the Run as Administrator option is not available, you might be attempting to run the installer from within the zipped file. Extract the files using the instructions in Step 2.

6. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the device drivers and restart the computer when prompted.
7. Your computer will automatically complete the driver installation and your device should be ready to use.

Prior to installing this device, ensure that your operating system is up to date (for example, you have installed the most recent service pack).

To install the driver:

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website (http://www.startech.com/Support). You can find the part number and product ID on the product’s packaging.

Note: Windows will typically save the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\your_name\My Documents\Downloads).

2. Once the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, select Extract All, and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Select the appropriate folder for your operating system.
4. Double-click Setup.exe.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the device drivers and restart the computer when prompted.
6. Your computer will automatically complete the driver installation and your device should be ready to use.

Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.

Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).

2. After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
3. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
4. Right-click AX88179, which will have a “!” or “?” next to it to indicate a driver issue.
5. Click Update Driver.
6. Click Browse my computer for driver software.
7. Select the Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer option.
8. On the Select your device’s type from the list below screen, click Show All Devices, and click Next.

Note: The Select your device’s type from the list below screen does not appear on all systems. If you do not see this screen, skip this step.

9. Select the Have Disk option.
10. Browse to the AX88179\your_operating_system\Manual Drivers\ folder and open the 32-bit or the 64-bit folder, depending on your system type.

Note: To view your system type, click Start. Right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

11. Click the Ax88179_178a file. Click OK, and then click Next.

Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.

Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\your_name\My Documents\Downloads).

2. After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
3. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
4. Right-click AX88179, which will have “!” or “?” next to it to indicate a driver issue.
5. Click Update Driver.
6. On the Hardware Update Wizard screen, click Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), and then click Next.
7. Select the Don’t search, I will choose the driver to install option, and then click Next.
8. On the Hardware Type screen, click Show All Devices, and then click Next.

Note: The Hardware Type screen does not appear on all systems. If you do not see this screen, skip this step.

9. On the Select the Device Driver you want to install for this hardware screen, select the Have Disk option.
10. In the Install from Disk dialog box, click Browse.
11. Browse to the AX88179\your_operating_system\Manual Drivers\ folder and open the 32-bit or the 64-bit folder, depending on your system type.

Note: To view your system type, click Start. Right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

12. Click the Ax88179_178a file. Click OK, and then click Next.

Starting in High Sierra 10.13, macOS enforces stricter security policies than previous revisions. As a result of these changes, software packages, like those used in this installation, will need to be allowed within the macOS Security and Privacy settings, immediately after the software has been installed, in order for the device to operate.

To allow the software, follow these steps after you've completed installation on your Mac:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Open Security & Privacy.
3. Click the Allow button near the bottom of the General tab.

Note: The option to allow the software will be available within the Security & Privacy settings for 30 minutes. If the software is not allowed within that time frame, the software must be reinstalled in order for macOS to grant the opportunity to allow it again.

If you are experiencing speed or connectivity issues, it is best to set a specific speed at half or full duplex in your settings.  You can set your network adapter to perform at a certain speed, but the device that the adapter is connected to (whether it is a router, switch, or computer) must also be able to perform at the same speed.

Note: You must log in as the local administrator before you continue.

To open Device Manager:

• Press Windows key + R.
• Type devmgmt.msc.
• Click OK.

1. Open the Networking adapters section.
2. Right-click the network adapter that you want to change and select Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Scroll down to Speed & Duplex. By default, it is set to Auto-Negotiate. Select any of the speeds that you see in the list.
5. Click OK and restart your computer.

When you troubleshoot issues with a USB hub, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

• USB A-to-B cable

• Computer USB port

• USB peripheral(s)

To test your setup components, try the following:

• Use the USB cable and USB peripheral(s) in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

• Use a different USB cable, USB port, and USB peripheral in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Test each cable individually.

• Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the hub, make sure that you do the following:

• If a power adapter is included, provide power to the USB hub.

• Attach a USB peripheral. The USB hub will not appear in any hardware listings on your system, but USB devices do appear when they are connected.

• Install the drivers for the USB peripheral.

• Install the latest drivers for the USB controller and motherboard chipset.

Note: No drivers or software are required for the USB hub to work with your operating system. The USB hub works independently of software and works with any operating system.

When testing your USB peripherals, make sure that you do the following:

• If required, attach external power.

• Confirm that the peripheral works on a standard USB port.

If the USB peripheral(s) can be detected on a standard USB port and not on the hub, do the following:

• Use a new USB A-to-B cable.

• Test your setup using basic USB peripherals, such as a keyboard or mouse.

• Test using another USB port.

If the USB device does not work after your computer has been in extended hibernation, it is likely that Windows has automatically turned off the USB Root hub to save power. 

The steps below outline how to configure the USB root hub to stay on during hibernation, to prevent this from happening.
 

Windows 10 / 8

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X and select Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options.
3. Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change.
4. Click Change advanced power settings.
5. Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled.
6. Click OK to apply the setting.

Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

Windows 7 / Vista

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options.
3. Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change.
4. Click Change advanced power settings.
5. Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled.
6. Click OK to apply the setting.

Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

Windows XP

1. On your desktop, right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties.
2. Click the Device Manager tab.
3. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers by clicking the arrow to the left of it.
4. Right-click the first USB Root Hub device and select Properties.
5. Click the Power Management tab.
6. Clear the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
7. Click OK to apply the setting.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 for any remaining devices in the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section with “Root Hub” in the name.

Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

StarTech.com does not support a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) as this requires third-party software. However, our devices can be used as long as the following conditions are met:

1. The BIOS must support PXE.
2. The BIOS must see the card.
3. The environment must have drivers for the chipset used in the card.
4. If using a USB networking card, the environment must have support for USB devices as well.

Virtual local area network (VLAN) tagging requires that the network interface card (NIC) and the router or switch that you use support protocol IEEE 802.1q.

Depending on the NIC, you can set your VLAN ID in Device Manager.  Not all NICs that support VLAN tagging have this option.

Setting your VLAN ID in Device Manager

Note: Log in as the local administrator before continuing.

To open Device Manager:

• Press Windows key + R
• Type devmgmt.msc
• Click OK.

1. In Device Manager, open Network adapters.
2. Right-click on the NIC and choose Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Scroll down to VLAN ID.
5. Set the ID that you would like the NIC to have and click OK.

Setting up your VLAN Tagging and Setting a VLAN ID

How you perform this task depends on your router or switch.  Consult the manual or manufacturer of your router or switch for more details.

In your router or switch, you can VLAN tag a device by the VLAN ID if you set one previously, or by the MAC address of the computer.  Your router or switch will list all IP devices by MAC address.

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To confirm that the Mac OS detects your expansion card, complete the following:

1. Click the Apple icon.
2. Click About This Mac.
3. Click More Info or System Report.
4. Under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an error. For example, a network card would be under Ethernet Cards.

Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

To confirm that Windows detects your USB device, complete the following:

1. Press the Windows key+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
2. In Device Manager, under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it.  For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers.

Your USB device is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your USB device, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

It is possible to use some USB hubs without a power supply, however, doing so may prevent the USB hub or certain high-power USB peripherals from operating.  It is always recommended to use an included power supply with a USB hub when possible.

When a power adapter is not used on a hub that comes with a power adapter, power is drawn from the USB port on the computer and then divided between the ports on the hub. This reduces the power delivery to individual ports and high-powered USB peripherals, such as external hard drives, may not start.

On USB hubs that can use a power adapter, more power can be supplied to USB ports than what is possible with a single USB port.

If your USB peripherals require power adapters, they probably do not require power from the USB port and can be used on a USB hub without a power adapter. With USB peripherals that use power adapters, the USB ports on the hub are only used for data transfer and do not draw power from the hub.

USB peripherals that require low power (for example, keyboards and mice) can be used on hubs without a power adapter, in conjunction with other low-power USB peripherals. In this case, power is drawn from the computer's USB port, as described above.