USB-C Dock for two laptops

[Gad-Westy]

Just wondering if such a device exists. I'd like a USB-C dock that I can charge two usb-c laptops from and share a single ethernet cable. Any suggestions?

[rab.s]

You are looking for a usb-c KVM switch.

[Gad-Westy]

Thanks Rab-s. I've looked those up but cannot see any with ethernet input.

[xeny]

Gad-Westy said:

Thanks Rab-s. I've looked those up but cannot see any with ethernet input.

You can hot plug a monitor, keyboard and mouse (which is essentially what a cheap KVM does) with impunity.. If you hot plug an ethernet cable while the machine is using files on a network share, or in the middle of a long slow download then you'll potentially lose the work on any open files or kill the download.

I'd be looking at a small ethernet switch and a couple of USB-C-ethernet dongles plugged directly into the laptops, or if your needs aren't too demanding a small WiFi access point they can both connect to.

[paulrockliffe]

xeny said:

You can hot plug a monitor, keyboard and mouse (which is essentially what a cheap KVM does) with impunity.. If you hot plug an ethernet cable while the machine is using files on a network share, or in the middle of a long slow download then you'll potentially lose the work on any open files or kill the download.

I'd be looking at a small ethernet switch and a couple of USB-C-ethernet dongles plugged directly into the laptops, or if your needs aren't too demanding a small WiFi access point they can both connect to.

Surely a decent one sends the ethernet to both devices all the time though don't they?

[Funk]

paulrockliffe said:

Surely a decent one sends the ethernet to both devices all the time though don't they?

Not a KVM - unless it has a switch built-in.

I've never come across one that does that but to be fair I've never really looked for one.

[xeny]

paulrockliffe said:

Surely a decent one sends the ethernet to both devices all the time though don't they?

Yes. I'm not doing so well finding one though.

[nyt]

xeny said:

paulrockliffe said:

Surely a decent one sends the ethernet to both devices all the time though don't they?

Yes. I'm not doing so well finding one though.

I am probably wrong (again) but it's hard to see how the USB dock would know which PC to send an incoming network packets to.

Have you thought of putting in a cheap switch https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-LS1005G-Wallmount... (to split the incoming ethernet) and running an ethernet cable to two USB docks?
Obviously less elegant but certain to work. You'd also need 2 USB power supplies.

ETA: You can buy very thin ethernet cable if appearance is important: https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Ethernet-Gigabit-N...

Edited by nyt on Monday 6th September 17:44

[xeny]

nyt said:

I am probably wrong (again) but it's hard to see how the USB dock would know which PC to send an incoming network packets to.

Have you thought of putting in a cheap switch https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-LS1005G-Wallmount... (to split the incoming ethernet) and running an ethernet cable to two USB docks?
Obviously less elegant but certain to work. You'd also need 2 USB power supplies.

Edited by nyt on Monday 6th September 17:44

Ideally you'd switch the KVM part of the unit, but leave the ethernet connected, at which point a normal ethernet switch chip on the board woud do the trick.

The nice thing about a single dock is it would save you also needing a KVM, so 1 box rather than 4 (ethernet switch, 2 * USB dock, 1 x KVM switch).

[randlemarcus]

https://www.visiontek.com/vt4900-kvm-usb-c-docking...

[FunkyGibbon]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088WGKFZH/ref=cm_sw_r...

KVM
Usb
Ethernet switch

All in one box.

Not cheap mind.

[xeny]

randlemarcus said:

https://www.visiontek.com/vt4900-kvm-usb-c-docking...

Looks lovely. Amazon and NewEgg are out of stock. :-(

Stock at a very reasonable $ price here https://www.xawufeih.com/index.php?main_page=produ... , but they say the ethernet andaudio will only go to 1 system.

Edited by xeny on Monday 6th September 19:22

[Gad-Westy]

Thanks all. Looks like a switch and two hubs is the sensible way to to then. Was trying to save a little clutter but not the end of the world.

[Whoozit]

I started looking for a similar solution for a desktop + laptop, which can also handle a single speaker system/shared wireless keyboard + mouse/external webcam. In the end I went for a Dell ultrawide monitor with a KVM built in https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-UltraSharp-3440x1440... The monitor has an RJ45 which I haven't connected but it's there so will suit your need.

It's on a VESA monitor arm bolted to the side of the desk to clear space. Since I don't need so many cables running to machines, there is enough space under the monitor to place the laptop and not foul the keyboard.

And for the sound if anyone's interested, a Soundblaster X3 external card running a 2.1 speaker system.

Everything swaps over between the machines when I press the hotkey. It's very slick indeed.

Edit: Ah since you need two USBC PD ports, this may not work for you. It's only got one.

Edited by Whoozit on Friday 10th September 12:18