A USB hub is a piece of equipment that allows you to expand one USB port to have several of them. This allows you to have more ports that will be used for different connected devices. For example, a computer may have four USB slots, but the computer itself may only have one input port. This means that four output ports are connected to one port on the computer. A USB hub allows you to have four separate ports connected together while maintaining its autonomy.

A USB hub can usually be found in keyboards, monitors, and printers. For the most part, if there is more than one output port that allows you to connect external devices to the computer - most likely there is a USB hub. But USB hubs can also be external. For example, a USB hub will be connected to one of the USB drives on the computer. Then, you will get four separate ports so that they can be connected to this external drive. This way you can have many more USB ports connected to your computer rather than the typical three or four ports that most computers come with.

One of the problems with a USB hub is that once you start connecting more than it has ports, they don't work as efficiently. For example, on a horizontal receptacle array, often only two of the four ports can be used. Although this all depends on the plug width and the horizontal foot is blocked on adjacent ports, so they are less efficient.

To combat this, developers have released port arrays, which have different perpendicular ports independent of the others. So, it may be that a port works through another port, but there are also ports that are perpendicular to ports. This creates a "star" shape and it has much less blocking problems because there is more space for each individual port. Another type of hub that is used is known as an Octopus hub. In this case, there is a connector at the end of the short cable. This also helps avoid the problem of space and dead ports.

Another thing a USB hub can do is act as a connector. USB cable, limited to 5m in length. However, if one USB cable is connected to the hub, another 5m cable can be connected at the hub side, and therefore the USB will be extended to 10 meters. In other words, a USB hub acts as an extension cord or as a connector between two cords.

Quite often, the average user of a personal computer or laptop needs additional ones. A USB hub is an incredibly useful device designed to create additional USB serial ports. This is necessary, for example, in cases where the factory quantity is clearly insufficient for the user.

Another similar hub is purchased to create the convenience of connecting many USB compatible devices. There are times when this is really necessary, since the very design of a miniature computer does not imply simultaneous access of various devices to free USB sockets.

Sometimes various WiFi adapters, flash drives and 3G/4G modems cover adjacent sockets with their housing. This problem is especially pronounced on ultrabooks. A USB hub is something that every owner of such a computer should have. In this article, we will look at how to choose the right USB hub for specific tasks.

USB hub placement method

All devices that can now be found on the market are divided into two types according to the type of their placement: external and internal. The last type is very specific. In most cases, it finds active use only as an integral part of the body.

In addition to the function of increasing the number of USB, such a hub is used as an internal card reader.

Devices for external placement differ from internal analogues not only in the placement method, but also in the interface connector.

If the built-in USB hub can only be connected to the corresponding connectors that are soldered on the motherboard, then with external USB hubs everything is much more interesting. A standard USB input cable makes these hubs more versatile. Other technical characteristics in many respects duplicate similar parameters of the internal USB hub.

What inputs are needed on a USB hub?

Firstly, all those users who are actively involved in photography will need memory card slots. With their help, a USB hub synchronizes such a miniature flash drive with a computer. The user can easily copy the necessary photos to a computer for subsequent editing and posting on the Internet.

Secondly, decide on the required number of USB connectors to connect various devices. The greater their number, the better the device to use. A large number of output jacks allows you to connect several external devices at the same time. Particular attention should be paid not so much to the quantity as to the quality of the connectors. Make sure your device supports USB 3.0, as this type of connector provides significant improvements in read and write speeds.

If we compare the new standard with the outdated USB 2.0 version of the USB standard, it turns out that it works about 10 times faster. In addition to better power supply, this interface provides fantastic speed, which at its peak can reach 4.8 Gbps.

Of course, for owners of outdated laptops that do not support USB 3.0, purchasing such a hub will be a waste of money. If you have an old computer or laptop, then the number of USB 2.0 connectors is paramount for you.

Unfortunately, the older version cannot boast any impressive data reading speeds. Under ideal conditions, such a hub can provide a maximum data transfer speed of 480 Mbit/s.

And thirdly, decide whether you need external power supply. The presence of a separate switching power supply is a definite plus for any USB hub, since the load capacity of the device increases significantly.

Hubs that have such a block are called active, and all others are called passive.

A user who has purchased an active hub has the opportunity to connect, for example, an external hard drive to such an advanced device.

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Of course, you can follow the “old-fashioned” methods: disconnect the mouse to connect the printer, and then frantically look for where to “plug” the flash drive. It is also not uncommon for a user to purchase a webcam, USB oscilloscope or some other gadget, and then it turns out that the length of the device’s wire does not allow it to be conveniently placed.

However, the modern market can offer a rational way out of this situation, and it is called a USB hub or hub.

A hub is a device that allows you to increase the number of USB ports.

In general, there are four varieties of this miracle device in the world:

• USB PCI type card. This option, as the name suggests, is a motherboard that is attached directly to the motherboard in the computer case. This is precisely where the main drawback and main advantage of such a device lies.

Pros: close proximity to the motherboard, which provides high speed information exchange.

Cons: inconvenient location, not suitable for devices with short cables.

• Passive USB hub. Such a device is somewhat similar to the usual “flash drive”; it also connects to a USB port, but with the only difference that instead of additional disk space it provides the user with additional connectors. There are often cases when this type of hub is equipped with a long wire, which allows you to easily place this “cluster of connectors” in the workplace.

Pros: convenient placement
Cons: The connecting mechanism, that is, the wire, creates interference, which reduces the data transfer speed.

• Active USB hub. Active hubs, unlike their “simple” counterparts, are powered not from a USB port, but directly from the mains or a built-in battery. The connection to the computer is carried out in a similar way to a passive hub, that is, using a cable to the port.

Pros: such a device can be conveniently placed in the workplace without compromising its performance
Cons: Requires external power supply

• Wireless USB hub. Quite an interesting and fresh solution. Such a hub connects to a computer via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Such a device is ideal for laptop computers that rarely stay in one place for long and have appropriate modules. That is, no wires connected to the computer, although at the expense of data exchange speed.

Pros: you can place the hub in almost any convenient place.
Cons: Wireless devices also require power, so you won't be able to completely get rid of wires. Of course, there are also models with built-in batteries, which, oddly enough, also have to be charged from the mains using a cable. Another disadvantage is the relatively low data transfer speed, which is due to the nature of wireless networks.

Most likely, it will not be particularly difficult for any of the users to decide on the type of hub. But in addition to the connection method, the interfaces of this very device are of key importance.

Many people know that the USB interface comes in several versions, which differ in data transfer speed. The fastest is USB 3.0, and the most common is USB 2.0; the first version is almost never seen anymore.

Before choosing a hub, you need to make sure that the appropriate ports are available directly on your computer. That is, if « insert » USB 3.0 hub into a USB 2.0 port, the data transfer speed will correspond to the slowest option. This does not apply to wireless devices, as their capabilities are limited by wireless communications.

And finally, you should study the appearance of the device. Of course, for each of the types of hubs listed above, different design techniques are used due to the design features of the devices, but here we will talk about their more hardware part.

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing is the number of connectors. There are no special recommendations on this matter, however, it should be remembered that communication with the computer is provided for the entire hub, and not for each device connected to the hub, so it turns out that the more devices are “plugged in”, the lower the speed of information exchange with computer for each of them.

Another important selection criterion is the distance of the ports from each other. If the connectors are located closely, then there is a high probability that two devices will not be able to “stand” side by side at once, since there may not be enough space for one of them.

USB hubs are useful, one might even say, irreplaceable devices that can simplify the life of every computer user. And most importantly, these devices are offered in a huge variety of options for both price and design, so choosing the most suitable device for yourself will not be difficult.

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Sooner or later, a PC user faces the problem of a lack of USB ports. Then he is recommended to purchase a usb hub (hub). What is it and what types of it exist?

Currently, more and more external devices are appearing, necessary (and not so necessary) for working on a computer, which are connected to it via a USB (universal bus sequence) port. These include computer mice, keyboards, external hard drives, flash drives, lamps, fans, coffee makers, modems, printers and other devices. The problem of lack of USB ports is especially annoying for owners of older PC models. What to do?
There are several ways out of this situation:

1.Temporarily disconnect devices that are not currently in use and connect the device that is currently needed into the free slot. But this is the worst option. Since it may turn out that both the connected devices and those that need to be connected are needed at the same time, so there will still not be enough ports. In addition, from constant switching, sooner or later the USB port will become loose and fail.
2. Purchase the necessary device - a USB hub (or hub). This is a small device with two or more USB ports that plugs into one of the USB ports on your computer.
3. Buy a new computer or at least a monitor (nowadays there are monitors with USB ports). But this is a radical method and, as a rule, very expensive.
From the above, we can conclude that the best solution to the problem of a lack of USB ports is to buy a USB concentrator (hub). There are several types of USB hubs:

1.USB PCI card - connects to a free slot on the motherboard. To connect such a USB hub, you need to open the computer case. Windows ME, 2000 and XP have the necessary set of drivers for self-configuring the system and working with added USB ports.

2. Passive USB hub - a small device that connects to one of the computer’s USB ports and has from 2 to 6 additional ports.

Because devices connected to the hub consume power, its internal power resources may not be sufficient to operate all connected devices simultaneously. This type of USB hub is convenient to use on laptops.

3. Active USB hub - connects to a computer and to the mains, has 4 or more additional USB ports (there are models with 49 and even 80 ports). Powering the hub from the mains allows you to simultaneously use many energy-intensive devices.

Manufacturers of usb hubs are sophisticated in the originality and diversity of their design, so that the use of these devices is not only useful, but also enjoyable.

What is a USB hub (hub)?

Since the mid-90s, we have witnessed the emergence and growth of a connection technology called USB (Universal Sequence Bus). Originally developed to connect computer and telecommunications equipment, USB technology has gradually become the primary means for connecting most devices. Technology is undoubtedly a notable contribution to the modern world of high technology.

The number of devices that use USB technology today is simply amazing. These devices include:
- computer mice;
- keyboards;
- modems;
- external HDs;
- coolers;
- lamps;
- and even coffee makers!

Most external devices today are connected to a computer via a USB port. So, nowadays, many computer users suffer from a lack of USB ports with an excess of USB devices.

There are two solutions to the problem of lack of USB ports:
- firstly, you can simply temporarily disconnect devices that are not in use, thus freeing up the port and connecting the devices that are currently needed;
- secondly, you can simply purchase an inexpensive device - the so-called USB hub (or hub). A hub is a small device with two or more USB ports that plugs into one of the USB ports on your computer. A USB hub allows you to use more devices with a USB connection. Increasing the number of USB ports on your computer not only reduces wear and tear on them, but also makes them easier to use.

Typically, there are four types of hubs:

1. Internal system bus card for connecting USB devices to the motherboard (USB PCI card).

The internal system bus card for connecting USB devices to the motherboard (USB PCI card) is installed in a free PCI slot on the motherboard (to do this, first open the case). If you are not familiar with your computer, this type of USB extension is not recommended for you. If you were previously using an older version of USB1.1 and are upgrading to the new version of USB2.0, you will also need to update Windows accordingly to support the new version.

2. USB hub (not powered).

An external, non-powered USB hub is a simple, inexpensive device that plugs directly into one of your computer's ports. Then any USB devices can be connected to the hub. These hubs are usually very compact, they are ideal for both owners of laptop computers and users of desktop computers.

Keep in mind that some USB devices require power supplied through the USB port. These devices include:
- printers;
- scanners;
- digital cameras and the like. Therefore, this type of hub will not be able to provide the connected devices with a sufficient amount of electricity, especially if several devices are connected at once.

3. Powered USB hub.

An external powered hub is no less compact and connects to one of the main ports of the computer. Therefore, there is no need to open the case and install it. The only difference is that the powered hub comes complete with a connector that plugs directly into an outlet. This provides power to the USB ports and allows you to use any kind of devices.

Most USB hubs come with a long USB cable, which allows for freedom of placement and ease of use of USB devices. These features make the powered hub the best alternative for computer users.

4. Computer USB card.

If you use a laptop and are constantly on the move, there is an alternative to a USB hub for you, namely a USB computer card. This device plugs into a dedicated port on the side of your laptop and provides two additional USB ports.

This alternative is the most popular solution for laptop owners. When purchasing an external USB hub, consider the location of the computer's USB ports. If they are located on the back of the system unit or in another hard-to-reach area, you can make using the USB ports easier by using a USB hub with an extension cable or by purchasing an extension cable separately. This will allow the USB hub to be located in a more accessible place for use.