Make your own iHub for under $10

[fossil112]

*** Warning! Unless you're a geek, you may want to purchase an iHub online. This requires patience ***

You will need a 9 pin D-SUB female cable (serial port null modem cable) and an 8 pin RJ45 cable (network cable).

1. Cut the end of the network cable and expose the wiring below the cable wrap.
2. Do the same with the D-SUB cable. Be sure to leave yourself with the female connector.
3. With the configuraion table (attached) and the pictures below, connect the network cables to the modem cable. You'll want to use a soldering iron and electrical tape to ensure a proper bond.
4. You're good to go. Happy testing!

RJ45 connector pinout diagram

D-SUB connector pinout diagram

[goobenet]

So, what does the serial number do (if anything) that the iHub asks for? I'm sure it's some kind of registration string... the serial to ethernet adapter itself has $10 worth of parts, the key is aparently worth something to someone, which would be missing from this configuration...

[fossil112]

The serial number that you're referring to is located in the processor of each individual receiver, not in the iHub unit. This simply creates an adapter for much less cost to the user.
iHub itself is a trendy, catchy name that Sonicview came up with for an already existing product.

[creativegenius]

The serial number the adapter asks for is a 16 digit hex. That has likely been programmed in to a firmware element within the device itself. the IKS server likely pokes that to see if anything comes back during the handshaking/authentication phase. No hex - no connection.

Otherwise the $28.00 unit, the iHub is based on would work just fine.

Creative Genius

[Landscapeman]

Have anyone tired this and had it actually work? It would be nice not paying 100 bucks.

[Triac-1]

This work around may make the RX and TX connections from the LAN to the DB9 but if firmware with the original manufacture is involved then I’m sure it’s a true dongle and the configuration will not work.
Before undergoing these experimentations, please research LAN to serial adaptors. More is involved.

[goobenet]

That's what i'm wondering... not to mention how it'd work, seeing as serial connections need a TCP stack running on them and a simple media conversion cable does not provide a MAC address or anything ethernet requires to operate. If this was the case, i could simply buy a bunch of cisco console adapters and pawn those off premade. Even standard serial-ethernet adapters have to have some chip in them to convert the slow 9600baud to standard ethernet signalling. No offense to the OP, but i believe proof is needed.

[creativegenius]

The SViHub is based upon the popular, proven, 'Wiznet' Serial to Ethernet adapter that utilizes the 5100 TCP/IP chipset.

Search Google for Wiznet.

Creative Genius

[goobenet]

Along the same train of thought, has anyone simply tried to plug in a USB ethernet adapter to a 360 box yet? I'm sure it's driver dependent but there's some pretty generic Realtek based adapters out there for $15. I personally don't have my box yet (ordered last week, sans ihub, pinching pennies), or if one of the more experienced guys out there could somehow slipstream an ethernet driver into a firmware (which i'm assuming SV already did to get the serial-ethernet box working)?

Just an idea...

[bigevil69]

i moved this to the rumor section until we have proof that it works

i'm not saying it won't we just need proof because of the serial number needed debate

[fossil112]

For reference, our company CIO and I were talking about FTA for a bit. He mentioned how his workers are always lugging around a ziploc baggie full of cables for their work, from office to office. So, they tried this instead. It's been working thus far. That's why I posted it.

iHub could be a true dongle, based on it's price...but I'm guessing not.

Creating another handshake in the dongle would be a nice dollar boost for Sonicview, since you would have to purchase their dongle. But on the flip side, it could pose a threat because another manufacturer could come out with technology that doesn't require a handshake...so testers could use a generic adapter with the same results. That's bad for the long run because it'd be money coming out of SV's pocket in the end.

Right now, SV has the market along side NF, so it's like a dry sponge during a downpour...just sit and watch it soak up the money.

[creativegenius]

The serial # thing ensures you have to buy their product.

Creative Genius

[Itaintrite]

Indeed. Until somebody actually tries this with a SV receiver and get it to work, I call fake.

[y0da]

i've been hearing this (IMHO) crap rumor for weeks. If I get time, I'll solder one up tonight and try it.

[bigevil69]

i've been tempted to try my khub dongle on my sv but don't want to screw up my khub or my sv

i have not activated the khub yet is the only reason that i thought about doing it

[goobenet]

Originally Posted by creativegenius

The SViHub is based upon the popular, proven, 'Wiznet' Serial to Ethernet adapter that utilizes the 5100 TCP/IP chipset.

Search Google for Wiznet.

Creative Genius

Looking over the specs and such for the wiznet board, i'm pretty sure a simple cable will not work. Some people have mentioned the difference between the reference board and the iHub is the lack of a power jack, based on specs, the thing runs off 5v which ethernet and serial both can provide.

Also looking through the software available to the wiznet board, it looks like it's a pretty simple device, i think i'll get one to experiment with. it's only 30 bucks.

The serial number debate is still up in the air. Some posts mention it's a 16 digit hex address, others say 10... any chance it could just be a the 12 digit MAC address? Anyone with an iHub willing to download the wiznet software and plug it into a pc and do a comparison?

[creativegenius]

My appologies, it is a 16 character hex address.

Creative Genius

[heath j arnold]

iv tried and i cannot get anything

[bigevil69]

Originally Posted by heath j arnold

iv tried and i cannot get anything

tried what? can you be a little more specific?

[Landscapeman]

Originally Posted by heath j arnold

iv tried and i cannot get anything

Have you tried the wiznet board?