USB Engine Hub

(Photo credit: Witty)

Tired of looking at the conventional USB hubs? Why don't you have a motorbike engine or USB engine hub on your desk? This device comes with 3 ports to enable you to connect to any laptop or PC via a USB port. When you plug it into the USB port, the engine revs up to tell you that it is connected. The main feature of this device is that it has a starter pedal and gearshift which make realistic engine noises when pressed. Perhaps, the video here will demonstrate it better for its engine sounds and powerful vibrations.

Donut Flash Drives

(Photo credit: Technabob)

Are you hungry? Would you want to have some donuts? You can choose from three flavors: traditional chocolate frosting, strawberry and a weird green color. These delicious looking donuts are not served for you to bite on as it stores bytes and bits instead of calories.

Gundam USB-Powered Air Ionizer

(Photo credit: Yanko)

Are you a fan of the Gundam anime series? If yes, you will fall in love with this device. This USB-Powered ionizer is useful to keep the air around you ionize as long as your computer or notebook that it is plugged to is turned on.

USB Lighter Flash Drive

(Photo credit: TechIT)

This USB Lighter Flash Drive might not be caused you concern as it does not use a flammable liquid. Rather, it builds on the same concept as the lighter in most cars. It uses small resistance coils powered by a rechargeable battery, in which you can plug it into an available USB port for recharging purpose.

The Smallest USB hub

(Photo credit: WonderIT)

This USB hub is claimed to be the smallest USB 2.0 hub in the world, which is designed to help you connect more peripherals to the PC without occupying too much desktop space. It measures 5.8mm x 28mm x12mm to make it travel-friendly. Though it is small, it manages to cram in four USB 2.0 ports. From the above picture, you can see that it's shorter than the length of two SD cards, weighing about 21 grams.

USB Fibre Optic Christmas Tree

(Photo credit: Compwee)

This USB Fibre Optic Christmas Tree will definitely get you into the Christmas spirit. When you plug this device into an available USB port, you'll experience a warm glow as the tips of the branches glisten with a bright blue shimmer. The sparkling lights from this Christmas tree will give you soothing as well as hypnotic effects besides adding a festive spirit.

USB Owl

(Photo credit: Parker)

This USB Owl is a cute and friendly-looking little owl which is one of the weirdest USB products. The owl will blink sagely, move and roll his eyes around, and rotate his head which will definitely provide you inspiration to any home and office computer users.

USB “Timeless Watch”

(Photos credit: Nakamura)

This USB “Timeless watch” is a combination of a digital watch and a USB. It was designed by the Czech designer, Ondrej Vaclavik. The watch is lightweight while providing time and information. After connecting to a computer or a notebook, it will remain the status of charging.

USB Animal Drives

(Photos credit: Feber)

These USB drives are Swedish products. They're shaped into animals like a gorilla (Fredrik), a sheep (Jan), a turtle (Göran), and a pig(Maud). Each of this USB drive is available in four memory sizes: 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB.

USB Eternal Love Rings

(Photo credit: KimJong)

Are we matched to each other? How long will our love last? Now, let's synchronize these USB Eternal Love Rings to a laptop or a computer to “connect” our mutual love.

USB Hub Photo Frame

(Photos credit: Joey)

This USB Hub looks like a digital photo frame. It comes with four ports and is USB 2.0 compatible. It matches the photo size of 62x 53mm. It's one of the devices to put on your desk to brighten your memories. Besides that, its back light picture frame will brighten up your paper pictures anytime and anyplace you get it plugging into your laptop or computer.

USB Mini Fan

(Photos credit: Erfan)

This super cute USB Mini Fan is shaped into animals like a little pig and a little ducking. If your indoor air is not thoroughly ventilated, don't forget to let this cute little pig or a little duckling to ventilate your surrounding air.

2008 Beijing Olympics USB Flash Drives

(Photos credit: XinChen)

In conjunction to 2008 Beijing Olympic, the USB flash drives took a theme of the Olympic Games in China. They were released with a very limited edition. The 4GB thumb drive of the Olympic torch features the game logo in its centre, with some swirly red cloud around its surrounding. The Mascot-series which consist of 4GB flash drives have their front side printed with images of Fuwa besides the Olympic logos.

Mini cars USB Flash Drives

(Photos credit: FareWi)

These mini cars USB flash drives are one of the weirdest products of USB. They won't take you go downtown but they help to store data of pictures, MP3 and some movie files as well.

(Photo credit: FareWi)

When you plug this mini car into a USB port, its headlight will be immediately lighted up. It's cool, isn't it?

(Photo credit: FareWi)

They also come in a freight car and a patrol car. It's such the weirdest and coolest products ever made!

(Photo credit: Dee)

If you're pregnant or you want to be a mother, it's time for you to have one USB Pregnancy Test device. It's 99% accurate to detect hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin), hCG-H (hyperglycosylated hCG - for detection before your first missed period), and LH (luteinizing hormone - for detection of your most fertile days). Note that these hormones don't indicate pregnancy or ovulation respectively as the extenuating circumstances may have affected the levels of these hormones in your body. In addition to these hormones, the device will show you the symbol of a baby, no baby, or multiples and your estimated delivery date based upon your concentration of hCG, hCG-H, and LH in your urine via its onscreen interface.

To use it, you pee on a stick, specifically the absorbent test strip at one end, then you remove the cap from the other end of the stick (to keep you away from casually contaminating) to reveal the USB connector. Next, pop it into your computer and you'll see your USB port starts the electrospray ionization process with a created spectrograph of the various masses for your analysis and urinalysis. After reviewing your test results, just pop the device out of your computer and change the test strip. The display will remain lit for five minutes before power off. It is recommended to use the horizontal USB drives for this USB product to avoid accidental moisture transference.

USB Wheel Phone Stand

(Photo credit: TechIT)

Can you feed your eyes with a visual stimulant instead of hearing the phone rings? Of course, with a device called USB Wheel Phone Stand, you can achieve your desire. However, this Ferris wheel only works for VoIP phones.When a call comes in, this device which is connected to your PC will spin. It's indeed an interesting stuff!

Popdrive Bottle Drive

(Photo credit: Simon)

The Popdrive Bottle Opener is a 1GB thumb drive that is both USB 2.0 and 1.1 compatible. This device comes with an attached bottle opener with its entire length in 3.75”, 1.5” in width, and 0.5” in height. Now, you can have this device to transfer your file and open those cold beverages without using your teeth. It also has an attached carabineer-style key chain to enable you to clip to your belt buckle, backpack, purse or set of keys easily. Its unique feature is that it lets you transferring files and opens the frosty beverage with the pesky bottle caps all at a time.

“I Love You” LED Laptop Light

(Photos credit: USBfan)

“I Love You” LED Laptop Light is a device that adds a little more light to your laptop or computer. It might be a perfect gift to give for Techie girl.

Star Wars USB Hubs

(Photos credit: akihabara)

For both computer Greeks and Star War's fans, the invention of R2-D2 and Darth Vader USB Hubs seem to be good news for them. Undoubtedly, the addition of these USB hubs will bring more joys to the computer users. Once you plug one of them into the USB port, it will operate automatically. You will see its eyes get blinking, its head moves and you will listen to sounds actually to what you listen in the Star War movie.

USB Fridge

(Photos credit: feiyang)

This USB Fridge will keep your beverage chilled while you're at your computer. It gets 5 minutes to bring the fridge down to 8 degree Celsius (47 degree Fahrenheit) after plugging it to your laptop or computer.

USB Illuminated Roll-up Keyboard

(Photos credit: Simon)

This USB Illuminated Roll-up Keyboard is made by high-quality silicone and it is washable, water resistance, soft touch while typing without creating sounds and foldable. It comes in white and pink color. This device is so convenient that it can be rolled up and put easily in your briefcase, notebook carrying bag or backpack.

USB Data Injection

(Photo credit: pcjunky)

This is not made for the injection purpose; rather it is used for data junkies. It might be simply made your daily data storage easier and interesting.

Stethoscope looks like USB

(Photo credit: Erfan)

Please don't be mistaken! This is not a stethoscope that a doctor uses to place on your stomach to diagnose to sounds of your heart, breathing, intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins. This USB is used for a direct individual data connection. It is equipped with the properties of hearing, scanning and checking.

Strange looking USB Drive

(Photo credit: 123pc)

This is a very creative designed of a USB drive, featuring in a delicate art in its design. It is a tool for theft prevention on a laptop or a computer that is essential for data security, virus protection, industrial or individual espionage and video piracy.

USB Apple-shape Speaker

(Photos credit: link)

This is an interesting design PC speaker used particularly for a notebook. That means the desktop computer users cannot use this device at their computer desks.

USB Monster Hub

(Photos credit: link)

This monster has six-legged attached beneath its body. It has the ability to hook up to USB devices via any of its highly adjustable limbs. Its furry legs are pretty cool looking. This monster resembles the Dark Star that I watched from the Slayers series.

USB & FireWire Hub

(Photos credit: Hume)

This stylist USB & FireWire combination Hub is designed by Ora-Ïto for your PC or Mac. The hub is round in shape, and has a white polycarbonate appearance. The add-in 4 USB ports and 2 FireWire ports allow you to connect iPod, PSP, mobile phone, movable keyboard, camera and printer simultaneously. That means you can connect up to six devices at a time. It comes with 8 flexible and twistable cables (5 USB 2.0 & 3 FireWire 400), a USB fan, a USB light, a USB extension cable and a FireWire 400 extension cable to make it fully equipped for all the connections the computer users required. Indeed, the connectivity with this interesting USB hub will let you experiencing the creativity and beauty of the art.

A Purse's U-disk

(Photo credit: KimJong)

Nowadays, a USB is like other fashionable hairstyle and clothing has become a modern trend to suit different requirement and situation. Like what you see in the picture, this is a female-like modern purse U-disk. It is particularly favored by females, spy agents or female detectives.

A Porcupine fish's U-disk

(Photo credit: Jack)

Hey, you, SpongeBob, don't make me angry; I'll stab you!

Christmas Cake USB Hub

(Photos credit: Yaujima)

This creamy cake is a product of Japan. It has 4 ports that are decorated with four USB strawberries, measures 120x120x130mm, and weights 650g. It offers up to 1GB memory and is compatible with OS Window 2000 and later. This sumptuous like creamy USB Hub cake looks like a real cake but unfortunately you're not tempted to have a slice of the cake.

Wooden USB Memory Sticks

(Photos credit: Joana)

These wooden USB Memory Sticks are available in memory sizes of 512Mb, 1GB, and 2GB. They're USB 2.0 Memory sticks which are compatible to Window, Linux and Mac. These memory sticks are useful to have around when transferring files from a computer to another computer.

Image source: Michael Tan

At the first glance, I mistakenly took it as the sound card, network interface card, TV tuner card or any sort of cards. I could hardly guess what this thing was, and finally someone told me that this is a masterpiece of a Japanese company. It is known as PCI Disk Card which is inserted into the PCI slot of a computer or a laptop. It is indeed a magical imagination. Such invention really makes me wondering the unique as well as the creativity of the Japanese imagination.

Isn't it strange from its aluminum appearance? It looks like mosquito spray.

(Image source: Michael Tan)

What's this? Can you guess? Perhaps you will think that it's a mosquito spray as what I've thought of while looking at this bizarre stuff. I'm sure that you haven't seen something like this so-called USB anti-mosquito spray elsewhere. Now, something makes you doubt about this. Where got USB anti-mosquito spray, never heard of it before. If not, is this an USB exploding device? No, impossible, its line is too short to have even burnt your hand when you light it up. Then, what on earth is this crazy thing?

(Image source: Michael Tan)

Well, this is actually called USB sound card with its external appearance fully coated in aluminum. It was a product of Hercules Audio which is named as USB External Soundcard. This is cool, right?

Is this a blue hoop or a life buoy? What's its connection to IT?

(Image source: Michael Tan)

Crazy! What's this? Is this a blue hoop or a life buoy? Impossible, a hoop or a life buoy will not have two-legs attached at its bottom. Instead of saying it's a two-leg appliance; it seems more like two wooden rods. You will never know what this thing is by just judging from its external appearance. I'm certain that you'll have problem to guess for this thing if I decide not to tell you the answer. Well, this is a stereo headphones launched by a company called Tube. Though it may look small, it has 5.1-channel audio capability to enhance its performance. It's indeed shocking to know that it has 6 built-in speakers. Due to its extraordinary audio capability, it will cause you about 150 Euros.

Is this a product from an alien planet?

(Image source: Michael Tan)

I'm sure that every one of you may have watched science fiction movie of Minority Report 2002 directed by Steven Spielberg and starring by Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow, and Lois Smith. You would come across with numerous technologically advanced gadgets in this movie, but this gadget with a blue semi-translucent cap attached on its top is somewhat looks like the film projector in the science fiction films. Now, you will be amazed to learn that this is a high-tech product of a Caller Display invented by Olympia InfoGlobe, and it is a model of OL 3000 caller display device. Whenever there is an incoming call, the caller ID (or calling number identification) will be automatically displayed on its screen.

What're you saying? A golden ladybird is used for a computer?

(Image source: Michael Tan)

This golden ladybird gives me a good feel to look at it. Though it's not made of the pure gold, it's manufactured with an excellent artwork to give you a delicate and sophisticated sensation.

(Image source: Michael Tan)

It's not for MP3 as you couldn't find a headphone slot to fit its plug into your laptop or computer. If not, what's this? Please guess, dear friend! Hmm, this is a U-beetle or in a simple word, U-dish. It's attractive and yet strange, right?

What's this stuff then? Its transparent body is packed with many “top secrets.”

(Image source: Michael Tan)

A first touch on this stuff made me thinking that it's a USB hub. However, this couldn't be a USB hub as its circuit is designed to be more complicated than the USB hub. As this gadget has a D-Sub interface, then it must be a graphic card. However, this guess is not true. The graphic card is an important part of the computer, it couldn't be connected externally. Even for a modern computer nowadays, there isn't any standard I/O interface that could meet the data transmission speed in this manner. The next possibility guess is that it's a screen. Again, it's incorrect as the screen will require more than one D-Sub interface but this device only has one. In fact, this is an external graphic card designed by the Japanese. A bit incredible …….Well, this stuff is not manufactured for you to play games; rather it's a dual mode, enabling multiple displays with different contents via a computer or a laptop. I don't think it could meet the requirement for 3D data processing speed, as it uses USB 2.0 interface so its speed is far behind the former mentioned earlier.

Besides showing time, what can this stuff do?

(Image source: Michael Tan)

You need no my answer and you'll tell me that this is a watch. You're right! This is a simple designed watch judging from its external appearance. Of course, its function is to show time. But, wait, my friend; don't make this as your final conclusion. Let me telling you that this is not just a watch, it's a product resulted from a micro-electronic technology. Not only it's a watch, but it has a close link to a computer. Now, at this point, you may challenge me for talking rubbish here.

(Image source: Michael Tan)

This thing is not hard to guess instead. If you keep yourself abreast with the IT news, I'm certain that you'll know that this is a U-watch. Again, this is a U-disk which is cleverly made convenient and portable for you to bring along elsewhere but it has a limited capacity for data storage.

Is this an insect of Y2K?

Image source

I can't imagine that this gigantic insect got to do with a computer. It's amazing to find that it's a computer's mouse. When you lift up its wings, it doesn't show you that it's a mouse. Instead, it looks like a housefly or any types of insects with a typically known six legs.

(Image source: InTozgc.com)

It's regarded as an insect of Y2K. Because of this invention, I've to accept the fact that human thinking is complicated and beyond the imagination. Needless to say about this Y2K's insect, could you imagine that your computer hardware is invented as the smelly toilet ball as listed in Desmonrock21's article entitled Gizmo: Cool Computer Case Mods 2. Gosh, stink, it gets me vomiting to look at those disgustingly designed computer products!

Oops, something totally unknown!

(Image source: InTozgc.com)

Now, my brain is poor enough to guess what this device is. It's not appearing to me as a computer's mouse. If I was not told that it's a mouse, probably I'll mad at guessing at it. And, I may never be guessed it right, I believe.

(Image source: InTozgc.com)

As shown in the above picture, its usage is very easy.

Is this a UFO?

Image source

This pumpkin-like computer product is designed to make it looks attractive as well as delicate to indirectly show the beauty in the art of the modern computer technology. The wooden treasure box which is attached with the pumpkin part looks very antique indeed! This product was on display in the exhibition of the Pentium 4 E3 in 2002.

Run, run! It's going to explode!

(Image source: InTozgc.com)

Wow, this explosive looks grand and elegant! Is this going to explore, I doubt of it. It's so beautiful. Incredibly, you couldn't imagine that it's a computer's mouse. I couldn't figure it out what's the feel when touching on it to move the cursor around the computer's screen.

Yuck, a strange human hand!

(Image source: InTozgc.com)

Yuck, a strange human hand to be your computer's mouse?! I hope this is just a nightmare but it happened to be a real fact that I've to accept while sitting in front of the computer. This hand looks so disgusting and I'm not going to touch on it. I believe that it'll bring a bad luck for me. Could you examine it closely? This strange human hand even comes with a look-real fingernail and some hair on top of its surface. Now, what do you feel? It's hilarious and bizarre though!

Yuck, another scary human body part!

(Image source: InTozgc.com)

The scary story about the designs on the mouse not only stops on a human's hand, but it also extends to the human's mouth. Look, the mouth is attached with two rows of teeth; one is located on the upper jaw, while the other one is located on its lower jaw. Whoever will want this to become his or her mouse? It's so disgusting to look at!

This is a computer and not a Christmas house. Can you believe your eyes?

Image source

Oh, I'm confusing with this device. I couldn't believe my eyes that this is a computer. Its design looks very attractive, but you can't eat the butter spreading over its top roof. While looking at this computer, it reminds me that the Christmas is around the corner.

Hey, are you kidding with me? This is a computer, you said?

Image source

This is a WMD computer, an abbreviation of its name: Weapon of Mass Destruction. From its name, you might judge that its killing power must be very scary and destructive. Why the inventor wanted to design the computer in this manner? Perhaps, the inventor just wants to show its greatest ability in terms of speed, capacity, and its operating systems. Anyway, this design is indeed hilarious!

Wow, what an odd-looking computer!

Image source

Hey, is this really a computer? Where's its CPU (processors)? Its main MOD systems are all attached to the surface of the wall, can't you see? Its motherboard, drivers, hard drives, graphic cards, and even its power cords are all hung to the side wall of the cupboard. I guess this inventor do this to avoid removing out parts of the components too often from his computer. Or else, he must be the weirdest person who feels comfortable to look at the computer in this crazy and illogical manner. See, the label pasted onto the side wall “Intel Outside!” Such a cool and ridiculous bastard!

Wow, what a good idea to have a microwave oven bake your programmes.

Image source

Do you want a microwave oven to bake your “programs?” Interesting stuff indeed! You'll get interested with this cool stuff, I'm sure. It's completely a perfect microwave oven ever designed to become a computer. This computer was displayed in CES Exhibition in 2003. This microwave oven is equipped with a liquid crystal display door. To operate this computer, you just press either its button located from the right side of this image. Its main operating system is “grilling” inside once the power button is pressed. Cool stuff though!

Do you want some cute animals running around your computer?

(Image source: Michael Tan)

Pets such as dogs, cats, hamsters, and etc. no longer will they sit on your lap, palm, or sleep beside or under your table. They are now active enough to run around parts of your computer.

(Image source: Michael Tan)

It must be enjoyable watching these cute animals or pets crawling along the cables, USB flash drive, power cords, external disks, U-disks and other computer's components. The addition of these computer by-products will definitely refresh your feeling while sitting in front of a computer or a laptop.

These are very creative designs!

(Image source: InTozgc.com)

This luxurious car designed mouse will definitely add in a sense of fashion while contributing a constructive design to the IT world. It's so nice and beautiful that I'm going to have one as my new computer's mouse. It can move just as smooth as the sport car could move along its track.

Is anyone hungry here? Would you like some fast food or Japanese delicacies?

In the past, a USB flash drive was shaped into either a rectangular or a square shape. Its shape was limited to a fundamental pattern and design. But, nowadays, the USB flash drive has shaped into a strange, wield and extraordinary pattern to increase its sale in the market. The design of USB flash drive has appeared as a fast food menu that will definitely capture the computer user's attentions worldwide.

Hamburger, Pizza, and Hotdog Menu

(Image source: Korean Monthly Technology Magazine, March 2007)

These USB flash drives take a theme of a fast food menu. They can be ranged from hamburgers, pizzas and hotdogs that you are familiar at any fast food outlets. As their appearance are manufactured in a framework resembles to hamburger, pizza, hotdog and sandwich, and thus they sometimes tempt people to eat them. Presently, these types of USB flash drives have a capacity up to one gigabyte.

A strange Menu of KFC

(Image source: Korean Monthly Technology Magazine, September 2007)

This is not a real set of KFC menu, it is a strange design of USB flash drive. If you examine it closely, you will find that the rice is actually a USB 2.0 Hub with four openings. Each opening is connected to a chicken, pudding and prawns. They are furnished with a ready boost facility with their capacities up to one gigabyte.

Octopus Sushi Menu

(Image source: Japanese Monthly Technology Magazine, January 2006)

The main design of these USB flash drives is an octopus (or tako in Japanese). If you do not examine them closely, probably you will be perceived to believe that they are real octopus. The manufacturer made them so real to give people a convenience feel of their completeness. When you pull out the head of the octopus, you can see the body of the USB flash drive. Of course, the other part of its body is a protective casing for the USB flash drive. When you insert this USB flash drive into the slot of the computer, the body of the octopus will shine or glister in blue light. It is fun and interesting to look at, isn't it?

Sushi Menu

(Image source: Japanese Monthly Technology Magazine, January 2006)

These USB flash drives are shaped into a Japanese cuisine or Sushi menu. Sometimes, you may come across a variety type of Sushi found in a Japanese restaurant which includes kappa(cucumber), California Roll, makizushi (rolls), inarizushi(toppings stuffed into a small pouch of fried tofu), Chirashizushi(scattered sushi), temarizushi (ball-shaped sushi with a filling of fish) and omelette. These USB flash drives have a capacity as big as one gigabyte.

Hmmm, this one looks rather odd!

(Image source: Jackson)

Not everyone will prefer to have their computer designed in a conventional manner, some computer enthusiasts may prefer to have their computers looking weirder than others to show that theirs stand out to be more striking and extraordinary. Despite of this perception, they started modifying their computers in this weird manner as what you see in the above picture is one of the examples. What's your opinion? Do you like this skeleton's computer? Tell me your idea, perhaps someone is going to modify his or her computer in a rather odd manner than all the stuffs I've managed to list here.

The Star Topology Network

With a Star Topology network, each node (Servers, Workstations, and Peripherals) connects directly to a centrally located Hub / Concentrator (seeFigure ST 1).

Data always travels from the transmitting node through the hub or concentrator before continuing to its destination.

Network Management

It is the job of the hub or concentrator to manage and control all functions of the network. The central hub/concentrator also behaves like a repeater for the data flow in that it reshapes the signal before passing it on.

Switches do a similar job as well. Having discussed hubs, concentrators, switches and repeaters in earlier articles, I will not dwell on them here.

Star Topology Supported Transmission Media

One of the greatest assets of the star topology is that it can use practically any type of available transmission media. For copper-based wired networks, some flavor of twisted pair cable (usually UTP) is the most common type of transmission media generally found in star topology networks.

Copper-Based Transmission Media

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) is the most abundant variety of copper cable available today. Therefore, it should come as no great surprise to discover that Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling is in deed the predominant type of transmission medium (cable) found in the star topology networks of today.

This holds true for most of the other topologies to boot. Volume production has meant that UTP cable is considerably cheaper than its competitors are. Advances in UTP cable capabilities over the years have seen the continual evolution of UTP cabling to the point where it is today.

Star topology networks built around Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) and coaxial cable are still in active service today. They are disappearing quite rapidly however as existing networks upgrade to higher performing infrastructures. These “new” network infrastructures tend to be a mix of wireless and wired technologies.

The Wired Component

For the wired component Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) CAT5/CAT6 or above dominate. The use of fiber-optic cable in star topology networks is generally limited to those situations demanding “extreme” performance, immunity from Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI), long cable runs and other scenarios where UTP is unsuitable.

Fiscal Considerations

One should never lose sight of the fact that above all else the greatest advantage that copper-based transmission media (wires/cables) has over its rivals is cost. Copper cable is considerably cheaper than fiber-optic cable.

Star Topology Protocols

Protocols commonly associated with a star topology include Ethernet and LocalTalk (Apple's Proprietary Protocol). Both protocols, Ethernet and LocalTalk require a different NIC

Star Topology Ad Hoc Networks

The star topology also lends itself for use in ad hoc networking scenarios and hence is very popular with small business and home networks. In fact, this sector constitutes over 60% of all networks. The driving impetus here has been the desire to save money by sharing an Internet connection between numerous machines.

Star topology is very popular with peer-to-peer network scenarios. The ease with which nodes come and go is one of the biggest reasons that the star topology is so popular with peer-to-peer networks. LAN parties and gaming sessions are a breeze. For these types of ad hoc network use, the star topology model is most definitely the easiest to install and configure.

Plug "N" Play Connectivity

Most ADSL, broadband modems on the market today include an integrated 4-port, switch capable of transparent bridging. The average consumer and small business alike find themselves ideally placed to use these types of “plug "n" play” network and Internet connectivity devices.

Star-Wired Ring Topology

A star-wired ring topology such as that implemented in IBM's Token Ring networks appears very similar to the classical star topology externally (physically). Both have nodes that connect to a central hub/concentrator or switch. The nodes themselves only differ in terms of the Network Interface Card (NIC) used.

• In order to connect machines to an Ethernet network an Ethernet NIC is required
• On the other hand, to connect to a Token Ring network a Token Ring NIC is required

Multi-Station Access Unit (MSAU)

All member devices of a network that uses a star-wired ring topology must connect to a special type of device called a Multi-Station Access Unit (MSAU). Externally the MSAU appears to be very much like a normal hub, switch or LAN Switch.

Internally at the hardware level however, the Multi-Station Access Unit (MSAU) contains wiring which allows information to pass from one device to another in a logical circle or ring.

IBM's Token Ring protocol uses a star-wired ring topology. The Token Ring Multi-Station Access Unit (MSAU) is the heart of the Token Ring universe.

Star Topology Advantages

Cable Selection - The star topology permits the use of UTP, STP, coaxial and fiber-optic cabling. This allows for greater diversity and flexibility at setup time. The star topology is backwards compatible with the older cable types so long as the central hub/switch supports it.

Cable Installation - Cabling is straightforward and easy to install particularly when UTP CAT5 or above is used.

Connectivity - With devices, connecting directly to the central hub/switch greater freedom of configuration is possible. Moving a PC to somewhere else in the room or even to another star topology room is simple and speedy.

Reduced Outages - Network disruption and downtime is greatly reduced when connecting or removing devices. Generally, there is no need to power down any device other than the device slated for removal.

Peer-to-Peer - Simplified ad hoc Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networking schemata

Troubleshooting - Easier to use & more streamlined troubleshooting courtesy of the ability to isolate problem devices made possible by the star topology's physical connectivity simplicity

Upgrading - Component replacement, upgrading, the installation of service packs, hot fixes, patches and the addition of new features is a lot easier with a star topology than linear bus and physical ring topologies

LAN Switches - Implementation of a star topology in conjunction with LAN Switches, gives us the ability to fragment collision domains. This offers great improvements in network performance over bus and ring topologies

Routers and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN) - Adding routers and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN) will also improve network performance as well as providing for greater security control over resource allocation and access.

Star Topology Disadvantages

More Cable - More cable is required to implement a star topology than would be the case for a linear bus topology

Single Point of Failure - If the central hub or switch dies then the entire network will be unable to communicate with each other & externals networks

More Expensive - Hubs & switches are not free and additional cable adds to initial outlay costs to the implementation of the star topology in comparison to the linear bus topology

Network Operating System (NOS) Images

As I have been having trouble sending, the graphics with these articles I have decided to include said graphics for the entire series in a separate photo gallery entitled “Network Operating System (NOS) Images”.

I will also keep on trying to send them embedded into each article. Once the upgrade to the lines in our area is complete, things should be better.

Next time in “Network Operating System Ring and Tree Topologies”, we will look into the Ring and Tree Topologies including their implementation indicators. Until then enjoy!

First of all you will need some extra USB ports to plug your accessories into. This Homer Simpson multi-hub comes in at around $50 dollars and by all reports, it's a very mediocre piece of equipment. Anyway, let's assume that you have bought your multi-hub.

Next, you need some accessories to plug into it.

How about a drinks cooler to keep your beer nice and cool as you surf the web. These cost around about $30. I wonder what's wrong with a fridge. There is also a version of this that heats your drink for you and it's all powered by 500w power from a laptop (or desktop PC). It could be quite a strain on your laptop battery.

You could buy yourself a noodle cooker and a heating pad to keep you warm at night. It can get kind of cold once the central heating goes off late at night and you might fancy a noodle snack.

A USB toothbrush and a George Foreman grill allow you to eat healthily and brush your teeth afterwards. (I wonder what you do with the rinse water... where do you spit it?)

If you get neck and back ache from sitting too long at your computer you could always plug in your USB massage ball and give yourself a treat. While you at at it, plug in your USB eye massager and take away the strain.

If you don't like the dark and you are uneasy sitting in front of your monitor late at night you can always set up a USB ghost radar unit which will alert you if there's anything to worry about.

This ghost busting device comes in at around $50. Does it work? Well, if you plug it in and you don't see any ghosts, maybe it does!

There are many more USB attachments for you PC, some are very useful, like phones, blue tooth handsets, lights, cameras, etc., but it's hard to see why anyone would want things like grills, hot drinks makers and electric toothbrushes that need a computer to get them to work.