USB Features

• The computer acts as the host.

• Up to 127 devices can connect to the host, either directly or by way of USB hubs.

• Individual USB cables can run as long as 5 meters; with hubs, devices can be up to 30 meters (six cables' worth) away from the host.

• With USB 2.,the bus has a maximum data rate of 480 megabits per second.

• A USB cable has two wires for power (+5 volts and ground) and a twisted pair of wires to carry the data.

• On the power wires, the computer can supply up to 500 milliamps of power at 5 volts.

• Low-power devices (such as mice) can draw their power directly from the bus. High-power devices (such as printers) have their own power supplies and draw minimal power from the bus. Hubs can have their own power supplies to provide power to devices connected to the hub.

• USB devices are hot-swappable, meaning you can plug them into the bus and unplug them any time.

• Many USB devices can be put to sleep by the host computer when the computer enters a power-saving mode.

Inside a USB cable: There are two wires for power -- +5 volts (red) and ground (brown) -- and a twisted pair (yellow and blue) of wires to carry the data. The cable is also shielded.