CPU usage: USB ethernet vs onboard ethernet

[krick]

My mame machine is using a motherboard with an onboard ethernet port.  I wanted to connect my machine to my network via a wireless connection.

However since wireless ethernet bridges are still about $80, so I bought a wireless adapter that that plugs into a USB port (D-Link DWL-122, $40).

I've recently been thinking about how much CPU time this thing might be using, even when it's idle and not transferring data.  Or since it's a windows machine, it might be downloading windows updates in the background or something.

I've also wondered about sharing the USB connection with other USB devices (trackballs, mice, spinners, lightguns, etc...).  The motherboard only supports USB 1.1.  Is there any danger of performance problems because of the USB wireless adapter hogging the connection?

Has anybody put any thought and/or research into this?

[Tilzs]

Why don't you just disable it when you aren't useing it.

[krick]

I could do that.  I was just wondering if anybody had what might happen if I didn't.

[Tilzs]

As long as they have an idependent host controller for each port (which they should) then you shouldn't have any problem. If you hub out a connection then you may run into bandwith. TBH, I wouldn't worry about it but if you are just disable it when not in use

[BASSOFeeSH]

Also, if you don't want it to run windows update simply disable autoupdate. (hit <windows> + <break>) to bring up the system menu.

[PaulG]

Just hit Control-Alt-Delete.  This will tell you your CPU usage and whether it's causing overhead.   And a network adaptor and couple mouse peripherals aren't gonna gridlock USB 1.1.