Providing multiple functionality, USB Combination Adapters, Port Replicators, and Docking Stations typically use a single USB port on the host side.
[more]Continued from above. Combination adapters tend to be more portable, while port replicators are often "docking" stations for portable USB systems. USB to Multi-Port Replicators adapters emulate standards like RS-232, Ethernet, and IEEE1284 over the Universal Serial Bus. They often act as a USB hub as well by providing additional ports. For many applications these inexpensive devices are quite suitable. There are, however, certain serial and parallel devices that require true host adapters.
