subject: Knowing The Function And Advantages Of Usb Hubs [print this page] The simultaneous connection of several USB appliances through the same computer port is possible by means of USB hubs. Inbuilt USB hubs are common features of most computers, monitors, printers and keyboards, with the mention that PCs also have internal USB hubs with multiple ports available.
The sizes and designs for hub devices vary greatly since some correspond to very complex cable connections, while others are medium-sized or small. The latter versions are considered pretty inconvenient for certain applications because they can lead to the physical port congestion. We may not know it but all of our laptops have external USB hubs meant to consolidate the use of the different devices.
Sharing universal serial buses are very different from regular USB hubs as they only allow the computer connection to a single peripheral. In order to correspond to multiple tasks, you can choose from automatic, manual or simple switch box models. Although simple in design, the automatic versions are more expensive. Networks use USB hubs extensively. If the ports of the hubs are too close together, not all USB will be used. This means that when you connect and a USB device to a port, you may block the port closest to it.
The limitations are thus connected with the horizontal orientation of the ports in the USB hubs, although the vertical layout has fewer blockage problems. USB hubs also differ in terms of powering systems: some are self-powered while others rely on the computer USB interface. There have been cases when USB hubs advertised as self-powered were in fact bus-powered. Such incidents are usually associated with lower quality products that are purchased for very small rates.
For the adequate operation of the USB hubs, you should purchase high speed devices. It is not possible for appliances to function at full speed when they are not plugged into a full-speed hub. If you buy low speed traffic USB hubs, you will not be able to connect a high speed device to it unless you get a transaction translator in between them. The average user should mainly choose USB 2.0 hubs that are especially designed for high speed traffic. Therefore, choose the USB hubs according to this specification and you should not have problems with the data traffic.
