User Guide

Basics New Technologies - 14
connect peripheral devices to a host computer on the fly,
without having to hassle with
• Shutting down/restarting the computer
• Opening the computer case
• Installing a card
• ID conflicts
• Termination issues
• Loading device drivers (although some devices may
require a one-time driver installation).
In addition, USB provides the user with
• A “tiered star hub” network topology (see diagram later
in this section) allowing for the connection of up to 127
devices per host computer
• Two simple, standardized plugs for the broad range of
devices
• Power for some devices directly through the USB cable
• Two data speeds for devices: 1.5 and 12 megabits per