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Port Expanders

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According to Webster’s a port expander is computer hardware that allows more than one device to connect to a single port on a computer. Some port expanders are internal and some are external. The internal ports are inside the computer normally attached to the motherboard. As for external port expanders, they plug into the existing ports. On a port expander you may have several ports. These ports may be as follow: PS2 port, Serial port, parallel port, and video port. Some may even have more, it varies by brand. You may also purchase expander ports that have only video and audio. There are several different types, it all depends on your need. Port expanders are largely generic but will not necessarily work with any computer. Compatibility varies based on the existing ports of the computer and the operating system used. Well, depending on what you are using it for there are different kinds of advantages and disadvantages. There can be an advantage as well as a disadvantage to using port expanders. If you are using it on a desktop or home computer one of the advantages is the ability to allow more devices of a particular port type to be utilized at the same time. One disadvantage is if you have a 3Gbps port, with a port expander installed that can support up to seven devices, only has a max of 3Gbps throughput bandwidth divided by each device; or however many are plugged in and being used. The more devices you have plugged in the less throughput bandwidth that port can use. Here are three examples of port expander, one that is external, another that is internal and a video and audio

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