USB hub: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:43, 10 February 2025

USB Hub

A USB hub is a device that expands a single USB port into several so that there are more ports available to connect devices to a host system. USB hubs are often built into equipment such as computers, keyboards, monitors, or printers. When such a device has many USB ports, they are usually all connected to a single hub, internally.

Functionality

USB hubs can be powered or unpowered. A powered hub draws power from an external power supply and can provide power to connected devices, while an unpowered hub draws power from the host computer's USB port. Powered hubs are useful for devices that require more power than the host can provide, such as external hard drives.

Types

Bus-powered hubs

Bus-powered hubs draw all their power from the host computer's USB interface. They are limited in the amount of power they can provide to connected devices, which can be a disadvantage when connecting power-hungry devices.

Self-powered hubs

Self-powered hubs have their own power supply and can provide full power to each port. This makes them suitable for devices that require more power, such as external hard drives or other peripherals.

Internal Structure

Inside a USB hub, there is a controller that manages the data traffic between the host and the connected devices. The controller ensures that data is correctly routed to and from the appropriate devices.

USB Standards

USB hubs support various USB standards, including USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. Each standard offers different data transfer rates, with USB 3.0 and later providing significantly faster speeds than earlier versions.

Applications

USB hubs are commonly used to connect multiple peripherals to a single computer, such as mice, keyboards, printers, and external hard drives. They are also used in networking to connect multiple devices to a single network port.

Related Pages

References

"USB Hub." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last visited October 2023.

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 == USB Hub ==
-A USB hub is a device that expands a single Universal Serial Bus (USB) port into multiple ports, allowing multiple USB devices to be connected to a single host device. It serves as a central hub for connecting various peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, printers, external hard drives, and more, to a computer or other compatible devices.
-=== Functionality ===
+A '''USB hub''' is a device that expands a single [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] port into several so that there are more ports available to connect devices to a host system. USB hubs are often built into equipment such as computers, keyboards, monitors, or printers. When such a device has many USB ports, they are usually all connected to a single hub, internally.
-USB hubs are designed to provide additional USB ports when the number of available ports on a device is limited. They act as intermediaries between the host device and the connected peripherals, allowing data transfer and power distribution. When a USB hub is connected to a host device, it appears as a single USB device, even though it may have multiple ports.
-=== Types of USB Hubs ===
+[[File:USB_hub.jpg|thumb|A typical USB hub]]
-USB hubs come in various types and configurations to cater to different needs. Some common types include:
-. **Bus-Powered Hubs**: These hubs draw power from the host device and distribute it among the connected peripherals. They do not require an external power source and are suitable for low-power devices.
+== Functionality ==
-. **Self-Powered Hubs**: These hubs have their own power supply and can provide sufficient power to connected devices, even if the host device has limited power output. They are ideal for high-power devices such as external hard drives or charging multiple devices simultaneously.
+USB hubs can be powered or unpowered. A '''powered hub''' draws power from an external power supply and can provide power to connected devices, while an '''unpowered hub''' draws power from the host computer's USB port. Powered hubs are useful for devices that require more power than the host can provide, such as external hard drives.
-. **Powered Hubs**: These hubs combine the features of both bus-powered and self-powered hubs. They can draw power from the host device or an external power source, depending on the requirements of the connected devices.
+[[File:Hub-ports.jpeg|thumb|Various ports on a USB hub]]
-=== Advantages of USB Hubs ===
+== Types ==
-USB hubs offer several advantages, including:
-. **Expanded Connectivity**: USB hubs allow users to connect multiple devices to a single USB port, expanding the connectivity options of their devices.
+=== Bus-powered hubs ===
+Bus-powered hubs draw all their power from the host computer's USB interface. They are limited in the amount of power they can provide to connected devices, which can be a disadvantage when connecting power-hungry devices.
-. **Convenience**: With a USB hub, users can easily connect and disconnect devices without having to constantly plug and unplug cables from their host device.
+[[File:4port-usb-hub-bus-powered.jpg|thumb|A bus-powered USB hub]]
-. **Organization**: USB hubs help in organizing cables and reducing clutter by centralizing the connection points for multiple devices.
+=== Self-powered hubs ===
+Self-powered hubs have their own power supply and can provide full power to each port. This makes them suitable for devices that require more power, such as external hard drives or other peripherals.
-. **Flexibility**: USB hubs are compatible with various USB devices, making them versatile and adaptable to different setups.
+[[File:Powered_USB_hub_with_7_ports.jpg|thumb|A powered USB hub with 7 ports]]
-=== Limitations of USB Hubs ===
+== Internal Structure ==
-While USB hubs provide convenience and flexibility, they also have some limitations:
-. **Bandwidth Sharing**: When multiple devices are connected to a USB hub, the available bandwidth is shared among them. This can result in reduced data transfer speeds for each device.
+Inside a USB hub, there is a controller that manages the data traffic between the host and the connected devices. The controller ensures that data is correctly routed to and from the appropriate devices.
-. **Power Limitations**: USB hubs have a limited power output, and connecting power-hungry devices may require a self-powered hub or an external power source.
+[[File:USB_Hub_Internals.jpg|thumb|Internal view of a USB hub]]
-. **Compatibility**: Some USB devices may not work properly when connected through a USB hub, especially if they require direct access to the host device.
+== USB Standards ==
-=== Usage and Applications ===
+USB hubs support various USB standards, including USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. Each standard offers different data transfer rates, with USB 3.0 and later providing significantly faster speeds than earlier versions.
-USB hubs find applications in various scenarios, including:
-. **Home and Office**: USB hubs are commonly used in homes and offices to connect multiple peripherals to a computer or laptop, such as keyboards, mice, printers, and USB storage devices.
+[[File:VIA_VL810_SuperSpeed_Hub_Demo_Board.jpg|thumb|A USB 3.0 hub demo board]]
-. **Gaming**: Gamers often use USB hubs to connect gaming controllers, headsets, and other gaming accessories to their gaming consoles or PCs.
+== Applications ==
-. **Mobile Devices**: USB hubs with charging capabilities are popular for charging multiple mobile devices simultaneously, such as smartphones and tablets.
+USB hubs are commonly used to connect multiple peripherals to a single computer, such as [[mouse|mice]], [[keyboard|keyboards]], [[printer|printers]], and [[external hard drive|external hard drives]]. They are also used in [[networking]] to connect multiple devices to a single network port.
-=== Conclusion ===
+[[File:ALMIGHTY_DOCK_C1.jpg|thumb|A modern USB hub with multiple connectivity options]]
-USB hubs are essential devices for expanding the connectivity options of computers, laptops, and other compatible devices. They provide convenience, organization, and flexibility by allowing multiple USB devices to be connected to a single USB port. While they have limitations in terms of bandwidth and power, USB hubs continue to play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality of various electronic devices.
-== See Also ==
+== Related Pages ==
-* [[USB]]
+* [[Universal Serial Bus]]
-* [[Peripheral]]
+* [[USB-C]]
-* [[Computer Hardware]]
+* [[USB On-The-Go]]
-* [[Computer Peripheral]]
-* [[Category:Computer Hardware]]
+== References ==
-* [[Category:Computer Peripherals]]
+* "USB Hub." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last visited October 2023.
+[[Category:USB]]
+[[Category:Computer peripherals]]