wyse-5070-ethernet-adapter

Introduction

This is a 3D-Printable OpenSCAD model of a second ethernet port adapter for the Dell Wyse 5070 Thin Client and various aftermarket M.2 A+E ethernet adapters using the existing option port in the 5070 case.

Models and Ethernet Adapter Variations

There is support for three different M.2 ethernet adapters (N.B.: I've only gotten the first two to work):

✔️ winyao: Winyao 8111-M2-C & 8125-M2-C / DFRobot FIT0798 / Generic RTL8111F & RTL8125B These are Realtek RTL8111F and RTL8125B 2230 M.2 A+E cards that fit the Wifi/2nd Ethernet slot of the 5070. They come with a small metal shield (presumably designed to allow mounting in a standard DE9 port - i.e., VGA or serial knock out). I found it easier to adapt with the shield removed - just unscrew. The 1GbE version costs about $18 + shipping direct from DFRobot and is also available from Digi-Key and Mouser Electronics. The Winyao (OEM) and "generic" versions are listed on several Chinese sites for less. There are two choices: 1GbE vs. 2.5GbE, and vertical vs. horizontal pins on the M.2 card (all choices work). With FreeBSD-based distributions (including pfSense, OPNsense, etc.) count on installing the realtek-re-kmod (google) driver package instead of using the OS' native driver.

✔️ commell: Commell M2-210 A-/E-Key Gigabit Ethernet Card (and probably their M2-225) This is an Intel I210-AT 2230 M.2 A+E card that fits in the Wifi/2nd Ethernet slot of the 5070. The daughter board needs to be cut; it comes perforated about half way along the length. I also filed down the solder tabs on the ethernet jack at the bottom of the PCB. Cost was about $45 + shipping from one of their distributors.

❌ iocrest: IOCREST O-M2F8111H-GLAN This is a Realtek RTL8111H 2230 M.2 A+E card, which did not work on the 5070 for me. The card was not recognized in the BIOS or by the OS. I only had one sample, so perhaps this was a product issue (it was a relatively new product when I got one). The other problem with this card is the cable & connector combination prevents the case from being closed. So you would need to replace the connectors on the daughter board with their right-angle equivalents. Cost is about $17 to $21 from various eBay or Aliexpress vendors.

I would like to know if there are other working cards.

Also included is:

Filler This is a simple blank that blocks off the empty I/O-option slot and installs like an adapter.

Source

The model is built using OpenSCAD. wyse-XXX-adapter.scad is the main file for each adapter, where XXX is the version of the NIC. It customizes an ethernet adapter wyse-ethernet.scad using information from the appropriate XXX-nic.scad NIC file.

If you find the fit too tight, or the dimensions of the PCB have changed, you might try changing the tolerance settings in the adapter file, or the corresponding dimensions in the appropriate XXX-nic.scad NIC file. Generally, I had only one adapter to test against, so I don't know how measurements vary from sample to sample. I even had to modify some measurements listed in manuals, so there might be other versions of the product with different components.

If you need to debug the source, I suggest including the appropriate NIC file in wyse-ethernet.scad and then working directly from that file. There doesn't seem to be a great way to handle the NIC "classes" in OpenSCAD.

Printing

I use a Creality Ender 3 Pro to build with a layer height of 0.16 mm. In Cura, you need Generate Support checked, with Support Placement set to Touching Buildplate. Support should be used only below the two wings that are screwed to the computer; in particular, ensure that no support is added under the various overhanging latch tangs used to secure the daughter board PCB inside the adapter.

Installation

To install the card in the adapter:

1. Slid the daughter board PCB down and under the front latches (small horizontal bars at the front of the adapter) and fit the top of the ethernet jack under the baffle opening then pull back on the rear latch and push the PCB down and release. The PCB should be seated firmly with minimal play.

2. I didn't put any screws through the commell PCB; there doesn't seem to be enough space to apply both screws - space is that tight below the adapter. In 5070's with no third display port (I think the J4105's have 2 DPs / J5005's have 3 DPs) you can easily use one screw on the lower side and a hex nut on the inside. With the winyao, which has a low-profile ethernet jack, I was able to put two M3x6mm thin (wafer) head machine screws from the bottom up with hex nuts inside the adapter.

3. Install the cable connecting the daughter board to the M.2 card (before putting the adapter into the 5070).

4. Screw two reasonably-short M3 thin (wafer) head machine screws into the 5070 through the wings of the adapter.

5. Check that you can close the case.

Also Available on Thingiverse

STLs are available on Thingiverse.