USB hub

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, similar to a power strip. All devices connected through a USB hub share the bandwidth available to that hub. Physically separate USB hubs come in a wide variety of form factors: from external boxes (looking similar to an Ethernet or network hub), to small designs that can be directly plugged into a USB port (see the "compact design" picture). "Short cable" hubs typically use an integral 6-inch (15 cm) cable to slightly distance a small hub away from physical port congestion and increase the number of available ports. Almost all modern laptop computers are equipped with USB ports, but an external USB hub can consolidate several everyday devices (like a mouse, keyboard or printer) into a single hub to enable one-step attachment and removal of all the devices. Some USB hubs may support power delivery (PD) to charge a laptop battery, if self-powered and certified to do so, but may be referred to as a simple docking station due to the similar nature of only needing one connection to charge the battery and connect peripherals. Hubs may feature power switches for individual ports to allow conveniently power cycling unresponsive devices.