Advantages and Disadvantages of USB interface

This page covers advantages and drawbacks of USB interface. It provides links on numerous topics on USB interface.

What is USB?

Introduction:

The USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. Its interface is almost like RS232 and RS485 however it supports higher data rates at various distances. Usb switch board port primarily based memory storage devices also are accessible that support a great amount of data and are portable.

Advantages of USB interface:

Following are the advantages of USB interface:

• Usability:

USBs are light-weight and pocket-sized. they're simply connected to computers running any package and don't need a web connection. Moreover, a full operating system is capable of booting from a live USB, creating it significantly helpful thereto and security professionals.

• Affordability: 

The increase of newer technologies has allowed for a market of low cost knowledge storage in USB flash drives. the value can directly rely upon the scale of area needed, version of USB, and safety features of the device. However, costs will begin as low as $5 for sixteen GBs of space.

• Security: 

Some USB flash drives are equipped with security functions like word-protection, which needs a password to be entered to open secure files on the drive. USB flash drive files can even be protected through hardware or code encryption.

 

• USB connection is extremely easy and thus accessible within the computing devices like desktop, laptop computer etcetera USB hubs are available to extend the amount of ports (if any).

• It is very straightforward to put in a USB device and requires an OS (Operating System).

• USB sockets are very tiny in size compared to RS232 and different parallel interfaces.

• External power isn't needed.

• USB supports different data rates from 1.5 Mbps to five Gbps with different distances.

• USB protocol notifies the transmitter to channel the information just in case of errors. The USB driver makes sure that error-free communication takes place.

• USB interface primarily based devices, components, cables and connectors are accessible at low price terribly easily.

• USB devices care for +5V and draw current in mA range.

Drawbacks of USB interface:

Following are the disadvantages of USB interface:

• Though the speed supported is higher in latest USB variants of USB V3 and V4, it's lower compared to gigabit LAN and Firewire interfaces.

• USB supports peer-to-peer communication. During this kind of interface, communication takes place between host and peripheral and not between 2 hosts (or peripherals). victimisation OTG (On the Go) version of USB, this issue is avoided. OTG devices will operate each as peripheral and host.

• USB standards support cables with length upto five meters. On the far side, USB hubs are needed to expand connectivity.

• Broadcasting isn't potential in USB and communication of messages surface between host and peripheral only.

• Physical Vulnerabilities: 

Whereas the physical kind and size will be thought-about an advantage, it conjointly makes the device additional prone to being lost, stolen, or damaged. This makes it imperative to duplicate the information that's being held on a USB flash drive. If they're heavily used, USBs are more doubtless to own for a shorter period and have a bigger likelihood of turning defective.

• Property: 

One person operates a USB flash drive at a time. Larger organizations intercommunicate differently suggests that of interconnected storage so multiple individuals can work on and collaborate on files remotely. A USB flash drive cannot supply this feature as a result of it not connecting with the internet. whereas this will be viewed as a feature for solo work, it hinders cooperative storage and remote access.

• Risk:

USB flash drives are a convenient way to infect machines with malware, providing a platform for launching large-scale attacks. This is often a way they cause a serious risk to systems containing, or connected to, sensitive information. Their size and storage capability conjointly create them ideal for stealing this sort of data.

Conclusion:

Crucial if a USB flash drive fits a user's wants relies on what the information storage is required for. employing a USB vs. victimising another kind of data storage, like the cloud, ultimately depends on the hold on information's desired confidentiality and the way many folks ought to access it. The advantages of using a USB flash drive embody its external movableness and its lack of demand for a web connection. USBs can even be an inexpensive choice in comparison to online storage. However, USBs can also be used as a method of malware infection and may be a perfect tool for a business executive to steal sensitive information. Users ought to bear in mind USB flash drives' options and therefore the risks they give to work out if they work their desired answer for digital storage.