A device that allows one or more USB peripherals to connect to multiple computers, one computer at a time. Such a device is often used to share a scanner, printer or external hard drive with two or more computers. The computer is selected manually by pressing buttons on the device or via software.
In order to allow more peripherals to be connected than there are ports on the switch, a USB hub can be connected to one of the switch ports. See USB hub.
In order to allow more peripherals to be connected than there are ports on the switch, a USB hub can be connected to one of the switch ports. See USB hub.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Hands-on review of the Logitech Squeezebox Boom
- After seeing my mildly skeptical post about the release of its Squeezebox Boom Internet radio device, Logitech offered to send me a sample unit to review, promising me I'd be pleasantly surprised with the audio output from the compact unit. I've been testing it out over the last few weeks,...
- Blog posts 2008-10-04
- Lenovo ThinkPad SL400
- Take the ThinkPad R series, remove the internal roll cage and the TPM chip, add dedicated GeForce graphics, an HDMI port, and a glossy lid, and you get the ThinkPad SL400. This 14-inch laptop is Lenovo's play for small business buyers, trading in enterprise features such as the aforementioned security...
- Product reviews 2008-10-03
- Velocity 103
- We've seen plenty of Windows Mobile devices in our day, and at times they all start to blur together--same story, just different packaging. However, back at CTIA Spring 2008, a new company called Velocity Mobile caught our eye, impressing us with a fresh approach to the user interface. Recognizing that...
- Product reviews 2008-10-03
- My growing hatred for calculators
- My growing hatred for calculatorsNokids need to think mathematically when doing math and programmatically when programming and literarily when reading literature, etc.Spreadsheeting for math? Joy. We all get to castrate mathematical symbology in order to shoehorn it into a spreadsheet cell t=sqrt(a^3)Wonderful.I guess when the only thing you know is...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- Apple releases iTunes 8.0.1; Apple TV 2.2
- Apple releases iTunes 8.0.1; Apple TV 2.2I've lost count how many updates and how much bandwidth this yearI am getting really sick of having to update iTunes every other week.Am I just the only one? And it's not like I have a convenient alternative either.I have a Zune as well...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- Put your PC on an energy diet!
- Put your PC on an energy diet!The wonders of USB and Firewire...Almost all of my new "toys" are either USB or Firewire; I don't know how much power these things draw when they're not in active use, but the really infrequently used ones can at least be hot-plugged on demand.But...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- Cybercriminals syndicating Google Trends keywords to serve malware
- Cybercriminals syndicating Google Trends keywords to serve malwareLarge networks are increasingly...being used to comprimise the Internet. These commercial networks are too large to be managed by hands-on real people and are being managed by technology. Things are only going to get worse. If these networks can't be properly managed they...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- KeyDesktop (exe)
- KeyDesktop includes Schedule electronic organizer, Address Book contacts and address book, Back Up (PC, notebook data back-up to USB storage device), Restore USB storage device restore to PC , Password (saving Web site & bank account & password information ), and Expense saving shopping list. This version is the first...
- Software downloads 2008-10-03
- Sony Bravia Internet Video Link (DMX-NV1)
- The moment Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link (also known as the BIVL or DMX-NV1) was announced last year, we knew the product would face an uphill battle. What could Sony's proprietary video streamer offer that you can't already get from Apple TV, Xbox 360, Sony PS3, Vudu, or the Netflix...
- Product reviews 2008-10-02
- Dell Inspiron 1525-139B
- Note: This review is part of our Holiday 2008 Retail Laptop Roundup, covering specific new configurations of popular laptops that can be found in retail stores.Dell's Inspiron 1525 is an excellent mainstream choice for basic computing, especially because the direct-from-Dell version is highly flexible, offering extensive configuration options. For those...
- Product reviews 2008-10-02
- Gadget nostalgia: Five things I had and five things I have now
- I was quite inspired by fellow ZDNet blogger Matthew Miller's post listing every mobile device he's had over the years (86 and counting, my friend!). Though my memory isn't as robust as Matt's, I thought I'd compile a list of my own ghost gadgets of the past, comparing them with...
- Blog posts 2008-10-02
- D-Link ships new Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router (DIR-825)
- Having pretty much juiced everything they can out of "Draft N" as a buzz term, router manufacturers have turned to "dual band" as the hot concept in 2008. With its new Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router (DIR-825), D-Link adds another one to the list, though...
- Blog posts 2008-10-02
- Semantic guardians for our computers?
- Semantic guardians for our computers?ActuallyNo, I built my PC's using components I selected that were manufactured here on good ol' terra firma. I don't experience crashes since I use Linux and am not afflicted with malware issues.Also I selected the hardware components and matched them. Maybe I am just lucky......
- Discussion threads 2008-10-02
- Fans to build own radio as Slacker takes on iPod
- Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable digital music player will have to answer when it hits U.S. stores this month. NEW YORK--Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable...
- News items 2008-10-02
- MobaLiveCD (exe)
- MobaLiveCD is a freeware that will run your Linux LiveCD on Windows thanks to the excellent emulator called "Qemu". MobaLiveCD allows you to test your LiveCD with a single click: after downloading the ISO image file of your favorite LiveCD, you just have to start it in MobaLiveCD and here...
- Software downloads 2008-10-02
- DeskSpace (exe)
- DeskSpace significantly increases your desktop space, allowing you to work and play on multiple desktops. With DeskSpace you can organize your programs and icons on multiple 3D desktops, and quickly switch between these desktops using the mouse and keyboard. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
- Software downloads 2008-10-02
- JVC KW-NX7000 navigation/DVD receiver
- The JVC KW-NX7000 isn't cleverly named like its sibling the El Kameleon, but it is just as cleverly designed. With its smart features, such as the proximity-based interface or the flash-memory-based navigation data, we found the KW-NX7000 extremely easy to use. However, it was the fun little touches, like the...
- Product reviews 2008-10-01
- Samsung HKT450 Portable Bluetooth Speakerphone
- Bluetooth speakerphones are getting more popular these days, as more states start to implement hands-free driving laws. They're mostly made for in-car use, like the BlueAnt Supertooth 3 and the Motorola Motorokr T505. However, there are several Bluetooth speakerphones that can be used outside the car as well, such as...
- Product reviews 2008-10-01
- Agresso's answer to ERP addiction
- Earlier today I took a briefing from Agresso. Up front I'll say that I have something of a soft spot for this company. Some years back I did some very early formative work on what is now their BLINC Businesses Living In Change schtik and was...
- Blog posts 2008-10-01
- Microsoft tries to lure more searchers with another giveaway
- Microsoft tries to lure more searchers with another giveawayRE: Microsoft tries to lure more searchers with another giveawayOdd way to grow share by limiting the number of people who can join. You're assuming that you need to pay them to search with you a dangerous precedent and by limiting...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-01
Neighboring Terms
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