Recognize Ethernet in addition to WiFi

My tablet supports a usb-ethernet adapter, which is handy for copying large files over. Except that Airdroid refuses to run if the WiFi is not connected. If the WiFi and Ethernet are connected, it works fine (and actually uses the ethernet), but if the WiFi drops, Airdroid kills the connection

YES

I've noticed an additional oddity with this. It seems that if the WiFi appears to be connected to one network and the Ethernet another, then AirDroid will operate. But if both are connected to the same network, it appears that the WiFi connection is semi-disconnected (presumably by Android), and so AirDroid won't operate, unless I convert the WiFi into hotspot mode, at which point I can connect via the Ethernet IP, even though AirDroid doesn't show that address (only the WiFi hotspot address).