I ended up acquiring a RJ45 to USB adapter (kind of port that a flash drive could go into).  As stated in the title, I tried to figure out what you would do with it, but didn't have much success.  I found a lot of details about wiring cables in such a way and places to buy adapters much like the one I have off of Google, but didn't find any explanation of why you would want such a thing.  Any explanations would be welcome.

A picture would be nice, even if you can find a stock photo of what you have. From your existing post "kind of port that a flash drive could go into" makes me think that one end is a USB Type A receptacle. However, the other side, the RJ45, you don't specify if it is a port or a connector.

I'm sure there are various uses for such a device. A quick looksee on Amazon (ASIN: B005DDI51U) for example, says this particular adapter is to connect a USB ADSL modem to a router.

If the thing you have is not the same as the thing from Amazon, then I used this phrase in google search:

RJ-45 USB Type A adapter

6 minutes ago, Tripredacus said:

A picture would be nice, even if you can find a stock photo of what you have.

What you posted help me nail down what it is a bit more.  It's a Female USB A to Male RJ45 adapter.  I don't know what brand it is specifically as it's unmarked, but this one on Amazon is a decent representation of what it is.

I have accumulated all sorts of weird adapters over the years as well. I rarely try to figure them out, just put them in a bin of mystery connectors.

On 11/13/2018 at 12:50 PM, Glenn9999 said:

What you posted help me nail down what it is a bit more.  It's a Female USB A to Male RJ45 adapter.  I don't know what brand it is specifically as it's unmarked, but this one on Amazon is a decent representation of what it is.

With TWO of them, you may do something (actually rather pointless, still ...) :

https://www.delock.com/produkt/65234/pdf.html?sprache=en

CAT5/CAT6 cable is actually very good to carry non-etherrnet signals too, and in some cases you can exceed USB length specifications (around 4.5 mt length without booster/repeater), very, very old example:

https://web.archive.org/web/20080422023938/https://girasoli.org/?p=58

 

There are actually some (very few AFAIK) devices that (for *some reasons*) have an USB port in the form of an RJ45 port (and no, it is VERY unlikely that you have one of them):

https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product/TCSMCNAM3M002P/connection-cable-usb-rj45---for-connection-between-pc-and-drive/

On 11/13/2018 at 12:55 PM, Tripredacus said:

I have accumulated all sorts of weird adapters over the years as well. I rarely try to figure them out, just put them in a bin of mystery connectors.

... where over time they will become random scraps of plastic/metal, not entirely unlike ratchet screwdrivers fruits:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_races_and_species_in_The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy#Ratchet_Screwdriver_Fruit

jaclaz

I'd start from asking, why have you bought such a device, without knowing what it can be used for? A hobbyist, collector of mysterious converters and adapters, or you just felt sad for 'em cables laying around useless and lonely?

56 minutes ago, Mcinwwl said:

I'd start from asking, why have you bought such a device, without knowing what it can be used for? A hobbyist, collector of mysterious converters and adapters, or you just felt sad for 'em cables laying around useless and lonely?

Well, JFYI, I have actually two of those adapters + a small mouse and a number of (extensible) cables, a mini-hub and other converters all in a nice zippered bag more or less *like* these ones:

https://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/3691995/usb_travel_kit_usb_travel_bag_usb_bag_usb_kit.html

https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/365382159/USB_and_Mouse_Toolkit.html

I call it (connection) "preparedness"

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2018/07/08/plan/

jaclaz

Thanks for giving an answer proposal, but we both know I wasn't asking you The difference is that you posted some uses of such adapters, while Original Poster didn't... well, actually he asked for them, which makes your cases differ at a crucial point

12 hours ago, Mcinwwl said:

I'd start from asking, why have you bought such a device, without knowing what it can be used for? A hobbyist, collector of mysterious converters and adapters, or you just felt sad for 'em cables laying around useless and lonely?

It was in a pile of random other stuff that I obtained.  Basically a lot of stuff - I didn't really set out to obtain the specific part in question.

3 hours ago, Glenn9999 said:

It was in a pile of random other stuff that I obtained.  Basically a lot of stuff - I didn't really set out to obtain the specific part in question.

 

12 hours ago, Mcinwwl said:

Thanks for giving an answer proposal, but we both know I wasn't asking you The difference is that you posted some uses of such adapters, while Original Poster didn't... well, actually he asked for them, which makes your cases differ at a crucial point

After all the reason is not so different, I also was looking for a "generic" connection kit (just in case, my main interests were in the mini hub, mini-mouse and USB cable) and got those RJ45-USB adapters in the bundle,  

jaclaz

Thanks for fulfilling my curiosity