Hardware How does USB LAN work on the Nintendo Switch?

[Saiyan Lusitano]

So while it's a wired internet connection directly on the Switch, it's still wireless.. right? Is it, in other words, a hotspot connection?

 

[Bladexdsl]

prob because i only still get wireless speeds 20 Mbps everytime i run a connection test in the menu it never goes above 23 Mbps sometimes most of the time it's only around 13-15 Mbps.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

So while it's a wired internet connection directly on the Switch, it's still wireless.. right? Is it, in other words, a hotspot connection?

What? That doesn't make any sense.
It's wired directly from the Switch to the router. No hotspots involved.
Anyway, as of right now the USB 3 port on the Switch isn't enabled, so you can't get 1Gbps wired. But you should still be able to get a respectable 480Mbps as long as you use a 1Gbps adapter. Can't confirm though as i don't have a USB LAN adapter.

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

What? That doesn't make any sense.
It's wired directly from the Switch to the router. No hotspots involved.
Anyway, as of right now the USB 3 port on the Switch isn't enabled, so you can't get 1Gbps wired. But you should still be able to get a respectable 480Mbps as long as you use a 1Gbps adapter. Can't confirm though as i don't have a USB LAN adapter.

The USB LAN connects to the Switch Dock but the Switch itself can be removed from the Switch Dock so what kind of connection is it? That's what I just wanna know. I'm curious about this tidbit.

 

[OneUp]

USB adapter is wired through the USB-C in the dock - not wireless. (Same as normal USB connection, just different plug) Unless you have blazing fast internet, you're not likely to see a great difference in speed between wired/wireless. What wired is better for is consistency in most cases. Wireless is prone to interference and has higher latency (different from speed). You may need to shut down the console completely by holding the power button then turn it on with the adapter plugged in if you are only getting wireless.

 

[RyleWeststar]

The USB LAN connects to the Switch Dock but the Switch itself can be removed from the Switch Dock so what kind of connection is it? That's what I just wanna know. I'm curious about this tidbit.

When the Switch is in the dock, it is connected to all the devices connected to the Dock through the USB-C interface on the Switch. Once you remove the Switch, the connection to the dock through the USB-C inteface is lost and so there is no more connection to the dock and any devices connected to it.

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

USB adapter is wired through the USB-C in the dock - not wireless. (Same as normal USB connection, just different plug) Unless you have blazing fast internet, you're not likely to see a great difference in speed between wired/wireless. What wired is better for is consistency in most cases. Wireless is prone to interference and has higher latency (different from speed). You may need to shut down the console completely by holding the power button then turn it on with the adapter plugged in if you are only getting wireless.

When the Switch is in the dock, it is connected to all the devices connected to the Dock through the USB-C interface on the Switch. Once you remove the Switch, the connection to the dock through the USB-C inteface is lost and so there is no more connection to the dock and any devices connected to it.

Thanks guys. I'm not so much concerned about the speed but the wired-ish aspect of it.

 

[Mr. Wizard]

prob because i only still get wireless speeds 20 Mbps everytime i run a connection test in the menu it never goes above 23 Mbps sometimes most of the time it's only around 13-15 Mbps.

I have already proven that the Switches AC wireless adapter is capable of 700+Mbps in another thread. You are only seeing 20Mbps because the connection test only downloads a 30MB file and it does not have enough time to reach more than 20 or so Mbps. Also when downloading digital games, Nintendo throttles the connection at the server itself to around 50Mbps.

 

[Jiehfeng]

Also the good part is that many different USB LAN adapters will work for the switch, including that cheap Ugreen adapter up on amazon and ebay, so don't spend $30+ for the Nintendo Licensed LAN Adapter.
My personal preference is a WiFi Repeater I got for $20, it will prove useful later on for me too.

 

[Mr. Wizard]

my moshi adapter doesn't work

 

[Mr. Wizard]

it's his fault for nearly fucking my modem for his shitty bridging advice.

Oh is that what this is all about?

https://gbatemp.net/threads/switch-wifi-lan-speed-test-89mb-s-712-mbps.465595/#post-7200095

I just pointed you toward a guide, how is that my fault? That's like saying it's my fault you brick your 3DS from following guides on here lol!

And like RyleWeststar said, this is neither the time or place, if you have something to say to me PM me, don't ruin everyone else's day just to increase your post count.

 

[YourHero]

As far as I can tell it hotswaps. If you pull it out it will be wireless but when docked wired. I still have to buy a new wired lan because my Wii U one works like shit on the switch for some reason.