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D-Link 4 Point USB Hub
D-Link 4 Point USB Hub - PCSTATS
When USB was first introduced finding devices to use with the port was virtually impossible. At the time, Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 barely supported USB and many manufacturers were unwilling to release devices without full operating system support. While this was a wise move for manufacturers, it did happen to delay the USB revolution for a few years.
 87% Rating:   
Filed under: Peripherals Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: D-Link Aug 20 2000   P. Masrani  
Home > Reviews > Peripherals > D-Link DSB H4

D-Link 4 Point USB Hub


When USB was first introduced finding devices to use with the port was virtually impossible. At the time, Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 barely supported USB and many manufacturers were unwilling to release devices without full operating system support. While this was a wise move for manufacturers, it did happen to delay the USB revolution for a few years.

This all changed in the summer of 1998, when Windows 98 was released. Boasting full USB support out of the box, it was now time for the hardware manufacturers to release USB compliant devices. Within months, the trickle of USB devices soon turned into a flood; consisting of keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, MP3 players, and much more.

With all these devices, it soon became apparent that a traditional PC's 2 USB ports would not cut it. As such, several methods of expanding USB ports have developed, including external hubs, additional USB ports on some devices, or even newer motherboards that support up to 4 USB ports on board. The DSB H4, marketed by D Link, is a 4 port USB hub that connects to an existing USB port on your computer.

Features and Specifications

Full USB 1.1 Compliance
1 x USB A type connector (for connecting to your desktop or notebook PC)
4 x USB B type connectors (for connecting your other USB device)
Operates in self or bus powered mode

As you can tell, the DSB H4 fully complies with the existing USB specification, which offers up to 12Mbps total bandwidth. Bandwidth utilization is generally classified in two levels: low power devices such as keyboards and mice will only utilize 1.5mbps each, whereas high power peripherals such as scanners or webcams will use the full 12mbps.

There are two methods of providing power to the hub and any additional USB peripheral. In bus powered mode, each port is given 100mA. As with the bandwidth issue, this is generally fine for input devices such as keyboards, but is insufficient for digital cameras, or webcams. For this reason, the DSB H4 does have a self powered mode. In this mode, the hub connects to a standard wall outlet, and provides up to 500mA of power to each port. Aside from printers and scanners (which have their own power source), this is more than sufficient.


Since Windows 98 fully supports USB, adding the DSB H4 was as simple as plugging it into the computer. At first I didn't think the hub existed at all, simply because no dialog boxes appeared asking for a driver. That's right, nothing. A quick look into Device Manager displayed the following...

So far, so good. Looking at the properties of the hub confirmed that the "General Purpose USB Hub" was the correct device, as 4 ports were detected, and 500mA of power was available for each port.

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Contents of Article: D-Link DSB H4
 Pg 1.  — D-Link 4 Point USB Hub
 Pg 2.  Speed Tests

 
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