StarTech ST3300G3UA USB 3.2 Gen 1 3-Port Hub with Gigabit Ethernet

Overview

The StarTech ST3300G3UA is a compact, bus-powered USB 3.2 Gen 1 expansion hub that adds three USB-A ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port to any USB-A host — no external power brick required. At 73 grams and 11 cm long, it is designed for desk deployments, mobile workstations, and field-service kits where cable clutter needs to stay minimal. The 10.5-inch (27 cm) integrated host cable gives you enough reach to clear a docking station or laptop edge without creating a rats' nest, and the aluminum-and-plastic housing keeps it lightweight without feeling disposable.

For security integrators and IT architects managing USB connectivity accessories across distributed endpoints, this hub addresses a very specific gap: a laptop or thin client with a single USB-A port that needs simultaneous wired Ethernet and multiple USB peripherals without a separate NIC or multiport adapter.

Key Features

• USB 3.2 Gen 1 at 5 Gbps: Each of the three downstream USB-A ports operates at up to 5 Gbps — fast enough to handle external SSDs, high-resolution USB cameras, or barcode scanners without the throughput ceiling you hit on USB 2.0 (480 Mbps). If you are pulling video from a USB camera to a laptop on a job site, the bandwidth headroom matters.
• Gigabit Ethernet with Full-Duplex 2 Gbps aggregate: The integrated RJ-45 port supports 10/100/1000 Mbps and runs full-duplex, delivering up to 2 Gbps combined (1 Gbps send + 1 Gbps receive). Jumbo frame support up to 9K means you can tune for throughput-heavy workflows — useful when transferring large video files or running NAS-connected VMS clients over a wired connection.
• IEEE 802.3u/ab Compliance: The Ethernet controller meets 802.3u (Fast Ethernet) and 802.3ab (Gigabit Ethernet over copper) standards, so it will negotiate correctly with managed switches, including those enforcing strict link-speed policies in enterprise environments.
• Bus-Powered Operation: The ST3300G3UA draws all power from the host USB port — no wall adapter, no separate power cable. This matters in field deployments and mobile carts where AC outlets are limited or unavailable. Bear in mind that bus power caps what high-draw USB devices (e.g., spinning hard drives without their own power) can reliably pull from the downstream ports.
• Aluminum and Plastic Housing: The hybrid construction balances heat dissipation (aluminum shell) with weight reduction (plastic internals). At 73 g, it does not add meaningful load to a laptop bag, and the aluminum helps wick heat from the USB and Ethernet controllers during sustained transfers.
• Compact Form Factor (11 x 3.4 x 1.8 cm): Small enough to sit behind a monitor base or velcro to the underside of a desk. The integrated 10.5-inch cable keeps it tethered without needing a separate USB cable that can wander or disconnect.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F): Rated for standard indoor office and equipment-room environments. Storage temperature extends to 70°C, so it survives being left in a vehicle during summer without damage — though sustained operation above 40°C is outside spec.
• Humidity Tolerance 10–90% RH (Non-Condensing): Covers typical office and light industrial indoor environments. Not rated for condensing humidity, so avoid unheated warehouse deployments where temperature swings cause condensation.

Integration and Compatibility

The ST3300G3UA connects via a standard USB-A male plug, making it compatible with any host port running USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.1, USB 3.0, or USB 2.0 — though Ethernet and USB speeds will be limited by the host port generation. For security workstations running network video recorders or VMS client software, the Gigabit Ethernet port provides a stable wired network path even when the workstation's built-in NIC is already committed to a management VLAN or secondary network segment.

The hub is driver-dependent for the Ethernet function on some operating systems — Windows typically auto-installs via Windows Update, while macOS and Linux may require a manual driver step. Confirm OS compatibility before deploying in locked-down enterprise images that block automatic driver installation.

Pairing this hub with a PoE switch downstream is not applicable — the Ethernet port on this device is a client port, not an uplink with PoE pass-through. Connect the RJ-45 to your existing network switch or router port as you would any standard NIC.

For integrators building out USB-connected peripheral stacks on surveillance workstations or mobile deployment kits, review the USB hub selection guide to confirm bus-power budgets before loading all three downstream ports with high-draw devices simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the ST3300G3UA require an external power supply?

A: No. The ST3300G3UA is fully bus-powered — it draws all operating power from the host USB-A port via the integrated 10.5-inch cable. No wall adapter or power brick is needed. Keep in mind that bus power limits the total current available to downstream USB devices, so high-draw peripherals like unpowered hard drives may not operate reliably.

Q: What is the maximum Ethernet speed supported by the ST3300G3UA?

A: The integrated RJ-45 port supports 10/100/1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet) and operates at up to 2 Gbps in full-duplex mode (1 Gbps transmit + 1 Gbps receive). It also supports jumbo frames up to 9K for throughput-intensive workflows.

Q: Is the ST3300G3UA compatible with USB 2.0 host ports?

A: Yes, it will connect to USB 2.0 hosts, but both the USB hub ports and Ethernet performance will be limited by the USB 2.0 bandwidth ceiling (480 Mbps shared across all functions). Full 5 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 1 performance requires a USB 3.x host port.

Q: What is the warranty on the ST3300G3UA?

A: The ST3300G3UA carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: Does the ST3300G3UA work in temperatures above 40°C, such as in a server room?

A: The operating temperature rating is 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F). Sustained operation above 40°C is outside the manufacturer's specified range. For equipment rooms that run hot, verify ambient temperature before deploying this hub in an always-on role.

Q: How many USB-A ports does the ST3300G3UA add?

A: It adds three downstream USB-A ports, all running at USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), plus one Gigabit Ethernet port — all through a single USB-A host connection.

Ted Perry

The spec that makes the ST3300G3UA worth considering for mobile security workstations is the full-duplex 2 Gbps Ethernet path combined with three 5 Gbps USB-A ports — all over a single USB-A host connection. For a field tech or a thin-client VMS station where the built-in NIC is already in use, that combination in a 73-gram bus-powered package is genuinely useful rather than just convenient.

Technical Highlights:

• 5 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 1: All three downstream ports run at the full USB 3.2 Gen 1 ceiling — 10x the bandwidth of USB 2.0 — which matters when attaching USB cameras, external storage, or high-speed scanners simultaneously without one device starving the others.
• 9K Jumbo Frame Support: The Gigabit Ethernet controller supports jumbo frames up to 9K, reducing CPU overhead during large file transfers. On a workstation pulling recorded video from a NAS, enabling jumbo frames on both ends can measurably reduce CPU load during bulk retrieval.
• Integrated 10.5-Inch Host Cable: Fixed at 27 cm, it is long enough to reach most laptop ports from a desk surface without an extension, but short enough to stay tidy. This is not a hub you will be running to a remote shelf — it is designed to sit adjacent to the host device.

Deployment Considerations:

• Bus power means you are sharing the host port's power budget across three USB ports and the Ethernet controller. Avoid loading all three USB ports with bus-powered hard drives simultaneously — use self-powered drives or add a powered hub if your peripheral mix is high-draw.
• The 0°C to 40°C operating range is the key limitation for always-on deployments. Security equipment rooms and server closets that are poorly ventilated can exceed 40°C ambient — confirm room temperature before installing this in a fixed, unattended role.

This hub fits best as a desk-side or mobile-cart accessory for security integrators and field technicians running VMS client software on a laptop — where you need a stable wired Ethernet path and two or three USB peripherals without carrying a separate USB NIC and hub.