Advantages: Simple, dual speed, small size
Disadvantages: Only 5 ports (?)

...Not much to say about this really. I bought this for a pound (!) on Ebay to connect to my router giving me 4 more ethernet ports to connect stuff to my network. That's all it does, gives you more connection; there's no firewall, DCHP, nothing, but then that's all in my router. Its 5 autosensing ports (Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45)automatically detect the speed of the attached device to maximize network performance - with a data transfer rate of up to 100 Mbps. It really was a "plug-and-play" installation with no configuration needed, it connected straight into my network - I didn't even ned to read the manual ! The auto-sensing feature means that you can plug the "in" cable into any socket - another 3Com switch I have has a specific "in" port. It's nice and small (Weight 0.6 kg, Height 4.2 cm, depth 13.5 cm, Width 22... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: So Easy installation, Simple and effective design
Disadvantages: None of which I know

...GENERAL OVERVIEW This 3COM OfficeConnect switch is considered my best. It has simple yet effective design and so easy to use and configure: just plug the cables and it is on. It is very useful for home networks and small business networks, as it can connect up to 5 computers with the 10/100 Mbits per second speed. FEATURES Five autosensing ports automatically detect the speed of the attached device to maximize network performance With plug-and-play installation and no configuration needed, the switch fits easily into your unmanaged network Full-duplex feature supports two-way data transfer, doubling the effective bandwidth of the network Compact, fanless design ensures quiet operation in small office spaces Connectors at rear help reduce cable clutter FCC Class B switch is approved for use in small office and home office... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Reliable, dual speed compatible, built in management
Disadvantages: Connectors have begun to rust - might cause problems in the future

...Preface = When you work so much technology around you, like I do, you begin to learn which technology is more reliable than others - especially when you have to deal with warranties/replacements! Some hardware is appalling, and without mentioning any brand names in this opinion I would say that the monitors that we use are the most unreliable monitors I have every seem. Seriously, we replace one at least every couple of weeks. But then you get some pieces of hardware, like the 3com Superstack II hub, that you don't even remember exists. It just sits in the corner of my office, doing its job, and just doesn't stop. That is why I'm writing this opinion. This hub deserves recognition for its reliability - as it's a fine piece of kit. The 3com SuperStack II Dual-speed hub 500... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Ebay bargain !
Disadvantages: Only 10 mbps, Only 4 ports

...Bought this on Ebay for a bargain £1 to expand my network. I've since replaced it with another 3Com hub (check out my other reviews), but thought I'd still let you know a little about it. It's an entry-level, 4 port hub, but only 10BASE-T, rather than the faster 100BASE-TX - that's why I upgraded, so you can connect 4 users together. There's one (manually switched) MDI-MDIX port to provide simple "in" connection from a server, switch, or hub, and three other female RJ-45 ports to send the network signal out to 3 other items. The hub has an external power supply and a "CoolCurve" self-cooling design eliminating the need for a noisy fan. Its dimensions (height: 3.6cm, width: 23.1cm, depth: 13.6cm) allow it to fit nicely with other 3Com OfficeConnect units - special stacking clips are available. It's an "unmanaged" hub, so... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Bargain bundle with wireless card for my laptop
Disadvantages: Just an access point, no modem/hub/etc

...simple 256-bit WPA (Wireless Protected Access) encryption and/or 40-/64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) shared-key encryption, along with the ability to allow only listed MAC addresses access. In addition, you can de-select the "Broadcast SSID" option so your network is effectively invisible - folks can't see the Site Specific ID... It has LED Indicators on the front for: Power; LAN port status (Link, Speed and Activity) and WLAN port status (Link, Activity; Alert). Dimensions - Height: 2.5 cm (1 in) - not including twin antennae (!) - Width: 22 cm (8.7 in) - Depth: 13.5 cm (5.3 in) - Weight: 592 g (1.3 lb) (These dimensions are the same as my 3Com OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch 5 - check out my review - so they look great stacked....) I hope this helps...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Exposure, ease of use, networking, FREE, someone else does all the technical web stuff
Disadvantages: Varying quality of other artists / musicians work

...MP3.com has stuck to its roots in remaining the best tool for internet capable musicians. The company offers FREE worldwide internet exposure on a large scale, and also a great opportunity to network with musicians in your own town/city on a more local scale. MP3.com is basically a massive multidimensional rack of pigeon holes. If you have a song / track / image it can be placed in its appropriate genre (Techno / Rock / Classical / Photo-Art / Speech) and easily accessed through your own web page set up by MP3.com themselves. To create this page you just upload your songs / images and tell MP3.com how you want the page to look. The artist retains control of their own webpage, and retains copyright of all their work. MP3.com offers musicians the opportunity to distribute CDs throughout the world, it isn't just confined to the MP... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: small compact size, metallic body, passive cooling=no noise
Disadvantages: gets a bit hot during summer

...are using Windows 98/2k/xp over samba, which unfortunately only 50-60% efficient. Transfering files over FTP is gonna be miles faster than samba (windows file and print sharing) They are all auto MDI-X on every port, so it doesn't really matter if you';re using a cross over cable or not, as the switch will sort it out The LEDS on the ports indicate 1000mb or 100mb and the status LEDS on the panel indicate 10mb connection and blinking = activity. It's silent, as it's all passivly cooled, unlike 3com switches/hubs, which is good when you have these in the bedroom! It's solidly built and i really can't fault it, and I feel it's worth the money as most other switches are all plasticy and cheap looking/feeling. 1gb transfer over samba takes around 3-4 minutes... which is fast - as you'd expect for gig ethernet.... and ftp transfers... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Awesome Value for Money, Great Setup Utility
Disadvantages: Not the best looking object in the world!

...When you purchase an all-in-one solution for broadband in your home these days, you want something that will sit in the background, quietly providing you with fast broadband - whether wired to your desktops, wireless to your laptops or networked to a whole range of bandwidth hungry appliances. You want it to work and you want it to be reliable and of course it must be simple to set-up. The 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless Router ticks all these requirements. I originally purchased one for a client, and I was surprised at how easy the installation was, especially since they used dreaded AOL! Many manuals for routers are usually of two distinct formats: horrendously complicated jargon-spewing bohemoths aimed at network professionals with accreditation from Cisco, or are partonising pamphlets covering the "perfect" install, which we all know... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Reliable
Disadvantages: Nothing special

...3Com Card This card is a nice card but when it come to networking cads there is only two things that make a difference one being the speed, you only tend to find three types of network card all at various speeds ranging form 10 mbps then you get a 10/100 mbps and just recently you can now get hold of a 10/100/1000mbps cars that can use any of these three standards. The card in question will only run at either ten mega bits per second or one hundred mbps depending on you other hard ware so this is something to keep in mind when buying this card. If you are using a Rj45 Crossover network cable linking two machines directly and both cards will work a 10/100 then you will receive a speed of 100mbps but if the other card in the other machine is only running a 10mbps you will only get speed of 10mbps the speed of the slowest card... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots of great new music
Disadvantages: Some bad music as well, plus no beenz!

...you insert the CD. While it is pretty cool to have the lyrics to hand it’s not worth loading the entire program to get to them, you may as well use your normal CD player. DAM CD’s all have a very similar look to them, the artist gets to choose the cover but that’s about it. The rest is standard MP3.COM fare and gets a bit boring once you get a few. But how do you go about getting them? Well, in the good old days you could pay by either credit/switch card or beenz. Unfortunately, due to the time it takes to process a beenz transaction, MP3.COM aren’t accepting them anymore. So I guess all my Ciao earnings are going to be filtered into getting some DAM CD’s – the Parker Nite Fly, well – I dunno . Delivery can be a bit of a problem as all the CD’s are sent from America which strikes me... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful