Link Your PCs - It's Easy (D-Link DE-805TP 10BASE-T Hub)

Member Name: naffcaff

Product:	D-Link DE-805TP 10BASE-T Hub
Date:	18/05/02 (1676 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very Small, Easy To Use, Ideal For Home/Small Office Use

Disadvantages: Only runs at 10mbs

A pair of glasses with thick black frames, a white coat and a PhD in Computer Science are just some of the things you no longer need to network your computers ! The D-Link DE805TP hub and existing software is more or less all you will need.

Microsoft made the first move to making networking easy with Windows 95 and subsequent releases incorporating built in network software. But now D-Link have demystified the hardware side with a true plug and go solution. Just add network cards and standard RJ45 cables to your computer and you're off and running.

If you find you have been caught on the upgrade roundabout over the years and have accumulated a number of computers, you can now put them to good use and link them all. If the kids have a computer in the bedroom, they can share your printer and scanner. Maybe you bring home the works laptop now and again and wish you could exchange data between it and your home PC. Whatever you want to do as far as small networking is concerned, you'll find the D-link hub ideal.

If you're a small business owner, you can finally have a small network of all those once standalone PCs. The hub will allow connection of up to 5 PCs. Should you wish to link more, just buy another hub as the bottom port doubles as an uplink to hook up to more hubs. With the right software, you can share devices, modems, printers etc amongst your staff.

There are different versions of the D-link 5 port hub around. All look the same, but my particular version has a lead which enables me to power the hub via the keyboard or mouse port. I simply plug my mouse and the d-link's power lead into the double adaptor type arrangement and it elimates the need for a mains lead. It's worth looking out for this version if you have run out mains sockets. You won't need to worry about finding room to fit the hub on your desktop either. It's approximately 5 inches high !

Disadvantages - there aren&
#39;t any really. There are 2 types of network speeds, 100mbs and 10mbs. The D-link only runs at 10mbs, but unless you are constantly exchanging very large files, you will not need a speed of 100mbs, particularly for home or small office use.

So if you are looking for a small networking tool that will work straight out of the box, you could do much worse than the D-Link DE805TP. Happy networking !

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