USB ports have a number of applications, allowing connection of USB sticks and promotional pen drives. However, many people choose to use hubs. Hubs are a device that allows for many other devices to be connected to a single USB port. The advantage of this is that hubs are often built into computer equipment. This allows for each device to work on one internal USB as opposed to every port having independent USB hardware.
Hubs come in a variety of forms. Along with more regular hubs are hubs that are known as inverse or shared and these allow several PCs to access a single peripheral. Only one PC can access a peripheral at any one time, but many computers can be hooked up, using all recognized devices off and on.
If a USB network has many hubs, it requires the hubs to be connected to each other. A hub network can only extend a USB network up to five times. Bus-powered hubs are not allowed to be connected with each other in a series; these specific hubs draw all of their power from the computer’s interface. Many devices use more power than this type of hub can provide.
When creating hubs, you may end up blocking other ports. Ports are closely spaced, of course plugging in certain devices may block a port rendering it unusable.
Due to hubs being external, you can now get them in novelty shapes to make your computer look more fashionable. There are designs from time traveling spaceships to nuclear missile launch consoles to name just two. We need to have these hubs for all our gadgets, but we also want to be looking good while using them. Gadgets such as USB devices and promotional pen drives cater for our needs for novelty as well as practicality.
To allow for high-speed devices to work in their fastest mode, all hubs between the computer and devices must be high speed. Devices should fall back to high speed once plugged into a full-speed hub. It is best to use USB 2.0 with high-speed devices. Although this is true, USB 2.0 also incorporates and surpasses USB 1.1. This means that full-speed and low speed devices are compliant, but not all 2.0 hubs operate at high-speed.
USB hubs use one or more integrated controllers. They usually support a four port hub system. You can get hub controllers that support 7 ports. Some hub controllers can convert PS/2 to USB for your mouse and keyboard.
A self-powered USB hub is suggested for your smaller devices such as mice and keyboards. When getting into your larger devices such as, external drives, printers and scanners, AC powered hubs are said to be a better choice. Some AC powered hubs come with an adapter while others don’t. Make sure to get the hub that best suits your needs.
If you have multiple devices that you will be using with your computer, hubs are probably the way to go. They make your ports conveniently accessible. They are inexpensive and especially handy with laptops where you may need more ports in order to use more devices. You really can’t go wrong using a hub to support your devices. You are more likely to have what you need right at your finger tips. No matter whether you are using your promotional pen drives, a USB keyboard or mouse, make sure you have the correct hub.
