Networking Reviews

Very compact design for mobile users. Absolutely plug-and-play and works well with WinXP (even if I only used Microsoft's generic usb hub driver). I like the included USB Control Utility and the individual LEDs for each port, the uplink, and for the power.

Best of all, it's compatible with most of my usb devices: Canon i320, Canoscan LiDE 50, and Logitech Quickcam Messenger.

The only negative comment I have is when connecting my Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse to the hub (experienced this with Targus' hub also), the mouse emits a very annoying sound while I move it.

After a series of disasters with Netgear FVL 328 and FVS 318 gateway routers, I went to Adtran's Netvanta 2050. I have installed many of these since Oct. 2003 and find the product superb. The web based set up works nicely for the technical lightweight users - and most users will find this easy to use.

The command line option (which us more technical types use to trouble shoot severe problems)is very similar to Adtran's access routers and very helpful should you run into serious difficulty (which is not likely due to the Netvanta but to other things).

Finally, Adtran's technical customer support is outstanding. I had a system performance problem that, with their help, pinpointed the problem to the CATV provider. When the CATV provider balked initially, I reiterated the troubleshooting AND the steps both I did and Adtran's people recommended. This resulted in the CATV provider replacing the cable from the junction into the building - and the problem ended. Adtran stuck with us throughout - not to finger point but to get to the bottom of the problem.

You get what you pay for - for me this is the best in its class and well worth the price.

I bought the Asante FH205P a year ago. This palm sized network hub is without a doubt the easiest, most reliable dual-speed (10/100) networking hub I've used. The hub includes 5 10/100 client ports and 1 additional crossover uplink port for connecting into an additional hub or switch. This hub supports auto-negotiation allowing users to install 10mbps network devices or 100mbps devices and the hub auto-negotiates to the fastest supported speed (bandwidth) for the device being plugged in.

This palm sized device has been running 24 hours per day for over one year supporting several computers and printers in a home business environment. Not only is it simple "plug and play" networking, the unit size allows for inconspicuous placement with all the network cables routed out the back away from sight. I highly recommend this product as a first choice if your needs are dual-speed networking for 5 devices.

The "plug and play" design of the FH205P hub makes set-up and connection to your PCs, Macintosh, UNIX servers and another hub or switch as simple as 'plug it in' and you're up and running. Nice product!

I've had my 7 port Asante USB hub for about a year now and love it. Unlike all of the all 4-port hubs on the market, I haven't yet run out of USB ports with this 7-port hub. I've got my digital camera, my Palm Pilot (through Palm's serial to USB converter), a joystick, and two printers hooked up to it and I've still got room to add more devices. Remember, as with any USB hub (including this one) you gain one less port than you might think since you still have to take up a port on the computer (7 - 1 = 6) (The hub has 7 ports plus one uplink port to the computer -- the uplink port into the computer is the -1 in the above equation.) With 4-port hubs, you're really only gaining 3 additional ports.

The only thing I would have preferred is a smaller external power supply. This unit is powered externally and as usual, those external power blocks are a little clunky. But I just tuck the block down below my desk and forget about it. The hub itself is sleek and slim, and fits nicely on top of my CPU (although I did have to tape it down to get it to stay put) I've had absolutely no problems with this hub on my Win98se Gateway PC. It worked right out of the box. It has green and red LED's that show you what's connected and what's not. If for some reason mine died today, I'd definitely replace it with another. This is a great hub.

Aten Masterview Plus 8 Port KVM switch is one product that comes in between very expensive KVM switches and cheap, low quality KVM switches. That's exactly what I have experienced. I wanted to buy a 8 port KVM switch and I was left with either buying very expensive HP/Compaq KVM switches or some really cheap, low quality stuff.

After looking at switches from Aten, I have realized that their products are very reasonable and of really good quality.

I bought Aten Masterview Plus, 8 Port switch for US$ 410 and after installing in my server rack I felt that I saved at least US$ 300 of my Firm by selecting Aten as a make.

The product quality is good and so is the functionality. The on screen display works pretty well. The switch is powered either by KVM cables (electricity from computers) or by external power adapter (supplied). You will eight KVM cables of some real good quality. However the feel of exteriors of the product is not as good or solid as of HP/Compaq but then once you rack mount it you don't have to touch or feel it, isn't?

You can switch the servers or computers connected to it either through the hot key on your keyboard (that you will define while installing) or manually by pressing port buttons on the front of the device.

I am using this product for over seven months now and I haven't found any problems with it so far.

If you buy this product, I can assure you that you will not regret your decision of buying it or not buying the more expensive KVM switch. Overall, a quality product with reasonable price tag!

The Belkin F5D5130-5 Ethernet 5 Port Networking Switch
by Belkin Components was one of the easiest installs I have experienced with Windows XP Home Networking. Belkin supplies all the software for your install. I have used other swithches that I ran into all kinds of problems with, but not with the Belkin F5D! This can save you a couple of hours!

I have worked with several good KVM switches and Belkin producst are always quality products.

About a month ago, I wanted to upgrade my PC to support high-speed USB 2.0 devices. Because my computer desk made it difficult to reach the back of the PC, I needed convenient access to USB ports from the front. Therefore, I decided to purchase a 5-port PCI USB 2.0 host adapter along with the black version of this device (F5U261, not the IVO). I am aware that the ivory device is exactly the same with just a different color for the faceplate.

This hub is a very solid performer under Windows XP. I have tested this hub with various USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices, including an external hard drive, a game pad, a memory card reader, and a portable flash drive. All of them worked without a single problem, and the faster USB 2.0 transfer speeds were a real joy. I was even able to power my GameBoy Advance from the hub using a USB-based power cable.

The hub fits in a standard 3.5" drive bay, although it can be mounted in a 5.25" bay with the appropriate mounting bracket (not included with the hub). The connectors on the back of the hub are standard: a 3.5" floppy drive power connector and a USB type-B uplink port. An adapter for connecting the power to a standard power connector is included.

Installing the hubis as simple as mounting it into an available drive bay, connecting the power to the PC's power supply, and connecting the included USB cable to an available USB port. Most 5-port PCI USB host adapters include an internal USB port, with no external wiring required. However, if an internal USB port is not available, it is possible to connect the hub to an external port by removing a plate from the back of the case and running the USB cable to an available external USB port.

The hub provides LED status indicators. One red LED indicates whether the device is properly powered and working. Each of the four USB ports includes a multicolor LED that indicates if the device is active and working properly. The LEDs will flash if there is a problem that requires software or hardware attention.

The only drawback to this hub is that it does not include a 5.25" mounting bracket, unlike other internal USB hubs. However, this is only a minor point and does not take away from the effectiveness of this product, since 5.25" mounting brackets are inexpensive and widely available.

I have not tried using this hub with a USB 1.1 host adapter. Using this configuration, devices connected to a USB 2.0 hub will typically only operate at the slower USB 1.1 transfer speed.

I am very happy with this device and I will continue to recommend it to others.

Assuming you've got an available USB port on your PC, and are running a USB-compatible version of Windows (Win98SE or higher, or Windows 2000/XP), this product does exactly what you'd expect it to. Simple to use - just plug your PS/2-style mouse and/or keyboard into the unit, then plug the unit into an available USB jack on your PC, and Windows will autodetect the devices.

This is an excellent device to use if you want to attach two PS/2 style keyboard/mouse combos to the same PC - for example, if you've got both an adult and a child-size keyboard you want to run on the same PC, and both keyboards have PS/2 jacks.

Device also works great if you want to attach a PS/2 style keyboard or mouse to a laptop which has only USB ports.

This is a superb quality 25 ft (male/male) vga cable. I am using it to supply 800x600 resolution video from my HTPC computer to my Infocus X1 projector. The image quality of DVDs is very clear and sharp. I think the video image from this cable looks even better than with the standard 6 ft vga cable that came with the projector.