Do you want multiple computers to communicate in a network? Then a switch is the perfect device. This switch enables you to quickly create a network to which you can connect... more
device. This switch enables you to quickly create a network to which you can connect multiple computers. This switch is perfectly suitable to use in combination wi...
device. This switch enables you to quickly create a network to which you can connect multiple computers. This switch is perfectly suitable to use in combination wi...
Do you want multiple computers to communicate in a network? Then a switch is the perfect device. This switch enables you to quickly create a network to which you can connect multiple computers. This switch is perfectly suitable to use in combination with both 10Mbps and 100 Mbps network cards. Each switch network port has been fitted with a short-circuit protection. Furthermore, each port can be used as an uplink, meaning that you can easily connect other hubs or switches to create an even bigger network.
...in is running at 100 or 10Mbps. Before this feature came along you had to tell a switch which it was, and if you got it wrong it wouldn't work. Also, running at 10 meant ALL the ports had to run at 10, even if they were 100 devices. The FS108 solves this issue by being very clever, and very useful!
Very Very Clever
You can have what is called a "straight" cable, where the pins match up at both ends, or a "crossover" cable where 4 pins (2 twisted pairs) are reversed. You'd do that if you wanted to connect two computers directly without a switch. If you plugged a crossover into a normal switch it wouldn't work, because the pins would be wrong. This switch tests to see if it's a crossover and sorts it all out for you, so it will ALWAYS work! Very very clever, very very useful.
Solid
Made from quite thick metal and spray painted...
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Advantages: Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution Disadvantages: No manual overide or audio support
...stops autoscanning and lets you use the currently selected PC.
The Belkin claims support for scrolling mice but I did find sometimes one PC would start up without recognising this facility if it wasn't the currently selected one when booting up and in extreme cases, wouldn't recognise the keyboard and mouse at all. Previous KVM's I've used send the PC fake 'There's a keyboard and mouse here' messages when not selected and it seems this unit does not, which is a pity.
Conclusion
The Belkin 2 port KVM is a well built unit that works nicely and provides a great way to save desk space and the cost of a second monitor, keyboard and mouse. The long leads are useful and despite the niggles with scrolling mice and the lack of manual switch. I'd say this unit is worth considering at this price if you can live with those shortcomings...
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Advantages: Easy to use, easy to install Disadvantages: closeness of the ports.
...environment.
Perhaps its great feature is its dual network speed capability.
Most modern networks demanding high speed run at 100Mbps (megaytes per second) while older and less demanding networks can cope quite happily at a tenth of this at 10Mbps. Each individual port can set its own speed so you can mix network settings and operations all on one switch without having to worry!
Slower and quicker connections can all work happily.
You can get these from any good PC office retailer or online at DABS.
A great switch with great functionality. One to buy if you want to buy a switch....
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04.09.2004
