Rakesh Kalidindi
Network USB Hub
MISM 670
Periodical Review
Belkin Network USB Hub: makes sharing USB peripherals a snap
This article is about a Belkin Network USB Hub. It is a network device that converts USB-based peripherals into shareable devices. It is easy to setup and use. To access this device a Control center Software should be installed on each computer. Through this software we can monitor the USB devices connected to the hub. But the device encounters some problems.
In a household with multiple computers and users it is difficult to share many USB peripherals. If a wireless router doesn't have a print/storage server built in, Belkin's Network USB Hub would be the best choice. It combines a regular USB hub with a print/storage network up to 5 USB devices through a router. So you can combine external hard dives, printers, etc and can access them easily. Through Control center software which is installed on each computer we can monitor all the peripherals connected to the hub. But the main disadvantage with this device is only one computer can connect to each device at a time. If a user needs to connect to a device that’s in use, he should send a request to the user who is using it. When the user completes his access then the next user can access the device. The author says that he encountered some problem when booted with Windows Vista, Firewall popped up asking for permission. He also says that when he woke up computer from sleep, it took over a minute for the Control Center to reconnect to the devices in Wi-Fi setup.
My opinion on this article is the author pros and cons regarding the device are correct. The device is undoubtfully a useful product and is worth full for the price specified. Hope the device should overcome its limitations.
Source Citation:
Shu, Les L. "Belkin Network USB Hub: makes sharing USB peripherals a snap.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)." Computer Shopper 28.6 (June 2008) retrieved from gale computer database.
