Belkin Network USB Hub Review

This little device works exactly as advertised. However, don't be misled by the review. This is NOT a WIRELESS Network USB Hub, it's just a Network USB Hub. To access the network from any USB device, you need to run a cable from the "Ethernet" jack in the back, to an ethernet LAN connection. Other than that, it is a very handy device.

I like this device. Though its functionality is basic and its performance is limited by the network configuration and devices used, it does do what is on the tin and it does save a lot of physical hassle.
There is no concurrent device sharing. It is as sophisticated as un-plugging a USB device from one PC and plugging it in another, but it is done from the comfort of your chair, electronically - so no wear and tear on the hardware, the computer equipment or yourself.
I am running a networked Windows /XP desktop and a Windows Vista laptop, with a Western Digital external hard drive, a Cannon i950 printer and a 4 Gb memory stick on the hub, so I still have a few sockets left. All have worked fine for the few months I have been using the hub.
I did have a problem with an external hard disk that took its power from the single USB connection. It worked fine, but there were problems when the other devices were connected. After some investigation, I put it down to too much power being demanded from the hub. It was not easy to resolve because it was intermittent and the device affected kept changing.
My only gripe is that "wireless" is mentioned in the advertisements but there is nothing "wireless" about this device. What can be done is that this Belkin USB Hub can be connected, by cable, to a network that can include some wirelessly connected devices. Hence, a laptop with a wireless connection to the network can use the hub.
The Belkin USB hub menu, which needs to be installed from a CD during installation, displays the devices available and is used to connect/disconnect each device. If the requested device is connected to another PC, the name of this PC is displayed and a message is also sent to them, so they might have already released the device before you make contact. Although it is quite basic, it is a quality product that performs well.

I've been using this hub for about 9 months now, it's prime use is sharing 2 printers on my home network of 4 pcs, and it works just great for that. Through speed is not really an issue though it would have been nice to use it for backup hard disks.
My one complaint is, that despite it using linux internally, Belkin have not made available a linux driver for it.