COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING; TESDA COMPETENCIES

This is an online lecture in Computer Hardware Servicing, prepared by

Mr. George P. Lumayag, ICT Coordinator. These Skills Learning
Competencies are patterned from TESDA in preparation of the K to 12
implementation.

Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) Tools

Static electricity is easily generated by friction on carpets, tile flooring,
clothing, hair, fabric, and etc. The friction of moving air alone will
charge suspended parties and cause the buildup of static electrical
charges on people and objects in the environment. Grounded antistatic
work mats used electrostatic electricity. Examples of ESD Tools:

Anti-static wrist strap

Anti-static wrist strap-used to prevent ESD damage to computer

equipment.

Anti-static mat

Anti-static - used to stand on or place hardware on to prevent static

electricity from building up.

Hand Tools
A hand tool is a device for performing work on a material or a physical
system using only hands. The hands tools can be manually used
employing force, or electrically powered, using electrical current.
Examples of Hand Tools:

Flat head screwdriver

Flat head screwdriver - used to loosen or tighten slotted screws.

Philips head screwdriver

Philips head screwdriver - used to loosen or tighten cross-head screws.

Torx screwdriver

Torx screwdriver - used to loosen or tighten screws that have a star-like

depression on the top, a feature that is mainly found laptop.

Hex driver

Hex driver - sometimes called a nut driver, is used to tighten nuts in

the same way that a screwdriver tightens screws.

Needle-nose plier

Needle-nose plier - used to hold small parts.

Wire cutter

Wire cutter - used to strip and cut wires.

Tweezers

Tweezers - used to manipulate small parts.

Part retriever

Part retriever - used to retrieve parts from location that are too small
for your hand to fit.

Flashlight

Flashlight - used to light up areas that you cannot see well.

Cleaning Tools
Having the appropriate cleaning tools is essential when maintaining or
repairing computers. Using these tools ensures the computer
components are not damage during cleaning. Examples.

Lint-free cloth

Lint-free cloth - used to clean different computer components without

scratching or leaving debris.

Compressed air

Compressed air - used to blow away dust and debris from different
computer parts without touching the components.

Cable ties

Cable ties - used to bundle cables neatly inside and outside of a

computer.

Parts organizer

Parts organized - used to hold screw, jumpers, fasteners and other

small parts and prevents them from getting mixed together.

Diagnostic Tools

Computers are easier to use and more dependable with each new
generation of hardware and operating system update, but that doesn't
mean they're problem-free. Here's the most popularb tools for
diagnosing your computer problems:

Multimeter

Multimeter -used to test the integrity of circuits and the quality of

electricity in computer components.

Loopback Adapter

Loopback Adapter - used to test the functionality of computer ports.

PC Tools for Software and Hardware Trouble Shooting.

These are the PC Tools and Components that will be used in PC
Hardware and Software Trouble Shootings.

A lens

A lens is an optical device which transmits and refracts light,

converging or diverging the beam.[citation needed] A simple
lensconsists of a single optical element. A compound lens is an array of
simple lenses (elements) with a common axis; the use of multiple
elements allows more optical aberrations to be corrected than is
possible with a single element. Lenses are typically made
of glass or transparent plastic. Elements which refract electromagnetic
radiation outside the visual spectrum are also called lenses: for
instance, a microwave lens can be made from paraffin
wax. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_(optics)

A ruler

A ruler, sometimes called a rule or line gauge, is an instrument used

in geometry, technical drawing, printing and engineering/building to
measure distances and/or to rule straight lines. Strictly speaking,
the ruler is essentially a straightedge used to rule lines[citation
needed], but typically the ruler also contains calibrated lines to
measure distances.[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruler

A T-square

A T-square is a technical drawing instrument used

by draftsmen primarily as a guide for drawing horizontal lines on
a drafting table. It may also guide a set square to draw vertical or
diagonal lines. Its name comes from the general shape of the
instrument where the horizontal member of the T slides on the side of
the drafting table. T-squares come in varying sizes, common lengths
being 18", 24", 30", 36" and 42".[citation needed]
T-squares are also used to measure and cut drywall. Drywall T-squares
are typically made of aluminium and have a 48-inch (1,220 mm)
long tongue.
Higher-end table saws are often equipped with T-square fences. These
table saw fences are attached to a rail only on the front side of the
table unlike traditional fences which clamp to both the front and the
rear of the table. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-square

Steel rules

Steel rules come in rigid and flexible versions. While their primary
purpose is accurate measurement, they can also be used as guides for
laying out lines, and if rigid enough, for cutting. The thinner, more
flexible rules can also be used to measure rounded or cambered work.
The differences in the prices of rules result from the various production
methods, which also determine accuracy and legibility. Most rules are
made by cutting the required length from a roll of band spring steel,
with etched graduations. Rules made by this method are adequate for
most applications and reasonably priced.
Higher-priced rules are cut, not stamped, from plate steel (stamping
would cause the material to warp), and the edges are ground.
Graduations are machined, much deeper than etched graduations,
longer-lasting, and easier to read in poor light. http://www.finetools.com/mass.htm

A protractor

In geometry, a protractor is a square, circular or semicircular tool,

typically in transparent perspex, for measuring angles. The units of
measurement utilized are usually degrees ().
They are used for a variety of mechanical and engineering-related
applications, but perhaps the most common use is in geometry lessons

in schools.
Some protractors are simple half-discs. More advanced protractors,
such as the bevel protractor, have one or two swinging arms, which
can be used to help measure the angle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protractor

An electronic calculator

An electronic calculator is a small, portable, usually inexpensive

electronic device used to perform the basic operations of arithmetic.
Modern calculators are more portable than most computers, though
most PDAs are comparable in size to handheld calculators.
The first solid state electronic calculator was created in the 1960s,
building on the history of tools such as the abacus, developed around
2000 BC; and the mechanical calculator, developed in the 17th
century. It was developed in parallel with the analog computers of the
day.
Pocket-sized devices became available in the 1970s, especially after
the invention of the microprocessor developed serendipitously
byIntel for a Busicom calculator.
Modern electronic calculators vary from cheap, give-away, credit-card
sized models to sturdy desktop models with built-in printers. They
became popular in the mid-1970s as integrated circuits made their size
and cost small. By the end of that decade, calculator prices had
reduced to a point where a basic calculator was affordable to most and
they became common in
schools. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculator

A multimeter

A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM (Volt-Ohm

meter), is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several
measurement functions in one unit. A typical multimeter may include
features such as the ability to measure voltage, current andresistance.
Multimeters may use analog or digital circuits--analog
multimeters (AMM) and digital multimeters (often
abbreviatedDMM or DVOM.) Analog instruments are usually based on
a microammeter whose pointer moves over a scale calibrated for all
the different measurements that can be made; digital instruments
usually display digits, but may display a bar of a length proportional to
the quantity being measured.
A multimeter can be a hand-held device useful for basic fault finding
and field service work or a bench instrument which can measure to a
very high degree of accuracy. They can be used to troubleshoot
electrical problems in a wide array of industrial and household devices
such as electronic equipment, motor controls, domestic
appliances, power supplies, and wiring
systems. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter

An eraser

An eraser (US) or rubber (elsewhere) is an article of stationery that is

used for removing pencil markings. Erasers have a rubbery consistency
and are often pink or white. Some pencils have an eraser on one end.
Typical erasers are made fromsynthetic rubber, but more expensive or
specialized erasers are vinyl, plastic, or gum-like materials. Cheaper
erasers can be made out of synthetic soy-based gum.
An eraser can be used of cleaning the RAM, a memory chip of the PC.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002816.htm

paint brush

brush 1 (brsh)
n.
1. a. A device consisting of bristles fastened into a handle, used in
scrubbing, polishing, or painting.
b. The act of using this device.
2. A light touch in passing; a graze.
3. An instance of contact with something undesirable or dangerous: a
brush with the law; a brush with death.
4. A bushy tail: the brush of a fox.
5. A sliding connection completing a circuit between a fixed and a
moving conductor.
6. A snub; a brushoff.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Paint+brush

A vacuum

A vacuum is a space devoid of air or matter, or a tool that uses

suction to clean.(noun)
1.

An example of a vacuum is a space with nothing in it.

2.
An example of a vacuum is something used to clean up dirt on a
floor.
To vacuum is to clean using a tool that sucks dirt or other elements into
a storage container. (verb)
An example of vacuum is to clean the dirt off the carpet using a
vacuum cleaner.
http://www.yourdictionary.com/vacuum

A soldering gun

A soldering gun is an approximately pistolshaped tool for soldering metals using tin-based solder to achieve a
strong mechanical bond with good electrical contact. The tool has a
trigger-style switch so it can be easily operated with one hand. The
body of the tool contains a transformer with a primary winding
connected to mains electricity when the trigger is pressed, and an
incomplete single-turn secondary winding of thick copper with very low
resistance. A soldering tip, made of a loop of thinner copper wire, is
secured to the end of the transformer secondary by screws, completing

the secondary winding. When the primary of the transformer is

energized, several hundred amperes of current flow through the
secondary and very rapidly heat the copper tip. Since the tip has a
much higher resistance than the rest of the tubular copper winding, the
tip, used for soldering, gets very hot while the remainder of the
secondary warms much less. A tap on the primary winding is often
used to light a pilot lamp which also provides illumination of the
workpiece. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering_gun

Pliers

Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly, for bending,
or physical compression. Generally, pliers consist of a pair
of metal first-class levers joined at a fulcrum positioned closer to one
end of the levers, creating short jaws on one side of the fulcrum, and
longerhandles on the other side. This arrangement creates
a mechanical advantage, allowing the force of the hand's grip to be
amplified and focused on an object with precision. The jaws can also be
used to manipulate objects too small or unwieldy to be manipulated
with the fingers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliers

Diagonal pliers

Diagonal pliers (or wire cutters or diagonal cutting pliers)

are pliers intended for the cutting of wire (they are generally not used

to grab or turn anything). The plane defined by the cutting edges of

the jaws intersects the joint rivet at an angle or "on a diagonal", hence
the name. Instead of using a shearing action as with scissors, they cut
by indenting and wedging the wire apart. The jaw edges are ground to
a symmetrical "V" shape; thus the two jaws can be visualized to form
the letter "X", as seen end-on when fully occluded. The pliers are made
of tempered steel with inductive heating and quenching often used to
selectively harden the jaws.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagonal_pliers

A Phillips screw driver

A Phillips screw driver is primarily used to fasten and unfasten

screws with a star-like hole in their heads.
Read
more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_use_of_a_Philips_screwdri
ver#ixzz1yYGur1jE
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_use_of_a_Philips_screwdriver

A screwdriver

A screwdriver is a tool for driving screws or bolts with special slots,

and sometimes for rotating other machine elements with the mating
drive system. The screwdriver is made up of a head or tip, which
engages with a screw, a mechanism to apply torque byrotating the tip,
and some way to position and support the screwdriver. A typical hand
screwdriver comprises an approximately cylindrical handle of a size
and shape to be held by a human hand, and an axial shaft fixed to the

handle, the tip of which is shaped to fit a particular type of screw. The
handle and shaft allow the screwdriver to be positioned and supported
and, when rotated, to apply torque. Screwdrivers are made in a variety
of shapes, and the tip can be rotated manually or by an electric
motor or other motor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screwdriver
The flat head is also one of the most abused tools, often substituted for
any number of other tools that might not be available. The fact is the
flat head screwdriver is quite useful for more than tightening screws.
Used for light prying, scraping, nudging or holding it can be pretty
versatile. Treat it too badly, though, and it'll snap, leaving you with a
fishing weight in your
toolbox. http://autorepair.about.com/od/tools/a/tools_flathed.htm

Goggles or safety glasses

Goggles or safety glasses are forms of protective eyewear that

usually enclose or protect the area surrounding the eye in order to
prevent particulates, water or chemicals from striking the eyes. They
are used in chemistry laboratories and in woodworking. They are often
used in snow sports as well, and in swimming. Goggles are often worn
when using power tools such as drills or chainsaws to prevent flying
particles from damaging the eyes. Many types of goggles are available
as prescription goggles for those with vision
problems. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goggles

A glove

A glove (Middle English from Old English glof) is a garment covering

the whole hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for
eachfinger and the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering
sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless gloves". Fingerless
gloves with one large opening rather than individual openings for each
finger are sometimes called gauntlets. Gloves which cover the entire
hand or fist but do not have separate finger openings or sheaths are
called mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves made of the same
material because fingers maintain their warmth better when they are
in contact with each other. Reduced surface area
reduces heat loss. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glove

LAN tester

What are the features of LAN tester?

How do you establish LAN to LAN connection?

The traffic has to go through a router to connect one network to
another. Read More

What does a LAN does?

A "LAN" stands for Local Area Network. It's just what it sounds like. A
group of private computers that are connected by a common private
network. If you have 2 computers in your home, and they are... Read
More

What is a LAN?

a LAN is a Local Area Network Answer. A LAN is the short abbreviation

for Local Area Network. In a LAN you usually have many computers
connected together using ehternet, Wifi, etc. The computers in... Read
More

What are LANs?

LAN stands for Local Area Network. A computing term for a method of
connecting computers, generally using wires, and generally in the one
building. Read More
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_LAN_tester

An antistatic wrist strap

An antistatic wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet is

an antistatic device used to safely ground a person working on very
sensitive electronic equipment, to prevent the buildup of static
electricity on their body, which can result in electrostatic
discharge (ESD). It is used in the electronics industry by workers
working on electronic devices which can be damaged by ESD, and also
sometimes by people working around explosives, to prevent electric
sparks which could set off an explosion. It consists of a stretchy band
offabric with fine conductive fibers woven into it, attached to a wire
with a clip on the end to connect it to a ground conductor. The fibers
are usually made of carbon or carbon-filled rubber, and the strap is
bound with a stainless steel clasp or plate. They are usually used in
conjunction with an antistatic mat on the workbench, or a special
static-dissipating plastic laminate on the workbench
surface. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antistatic_wrist_strap

A crimping tool

A crimping tool is a tool designed to crimp or connect a connector to

the end of a cable. For example, network cables and phone cables are
created using a crimping tool to connect the RJ-45 and RJ11 connectors to the end of the cable. In the picture to the right, is an
example of what a crimping tool looks like. This example shows a tool
capable of crimping both RJ-11 and RJ-45
connectors. http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/crimp.htm

Sharp Pointed Tweezers

The Tweezerman Pointed Tweezers feature perfectly aligned, hand filed

tips made from 100 stainless steel. The fine, precision design makes
eliminating even the most stubborn stray hairs a cinch.Caution:
Tweezers are very sharp. Use with care. Keep out of the reach of
children.Tweeze in the direction of hair growth, after a hot shower, or
use a hot wash cloth to open pores. For ingrown hairs, cleanse skin and
disinfect the tips of the tweezers with alcohol. After any work under the
skin, clean area with hydrogen peroxide. Always replace protective cap
on tweezer tips. http://reviews.sephora.com/8723/P63915/reviews.htm

A soldering iron

A soldering iron is a hand tool used in soldering. It supplies heat to

melt the solder so that it can flow into the joint between two
workpieces.
A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated
handle. Heating is often achieved electrically, by passing an electric
current (supplied through an electrical cord or battery cables) through
a resistive heating element. Portable irons can be heated by
combustion of gas stored in a small tank, often using a catalytic
heater rather than a flame. Simple irons less commonly used than in
the past were simply a large copper bit on a handle, heated in a flame.
Soldering irons are most often used for installation, repairs, and limited
production work in electronics assembly. High-volume production lines
use other soldering methods.[1] Large irons may be used for soldering
joints in sheet metal objects. Less common uses
includepyrography (burning designs into wood) and plastic
welding. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering_iron

An operating system

An operating system is a program designed to run other programs

on a computer. A computers operating system is its most important
program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both
software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible
for everything from the control and allocation of memory to
recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to
computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives

and control peripherals, like printers and

scanners. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-operating-system.htm

An application program

An application program (sometimes shortened to application) is

any program designed to perform a specific function directly for the
user or, in some cases, for another application program. Examples of
application programs include word processors; database programs;
Web browsers; development tools; drawing, paint, and image editing
programs; and communication programs. Application programs use the
services of the computer's operating system and other supporting
programs. The formal requests for services and means of
communicating with other programs that a programmer uses in writing
an application program is called the application program interface
(API). http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/application
-program

An oscilloscope

An oscilloscope, previously called an oscillograph, and informally

known as a scope, CRO (for cathode-ray oscilloscope), or DSO (for the
more modern digital storage oscilloscope), is a type of electronic test
instrument that allows observation of constantly varying
signalvoltages, usually as a two-dimensional graph of one or more
electrical potential differences using the vertical or 'Y' axis, plotted as a
function of time (horizontal or 'x' axis). Many signals, for example
sound, can be converted to voltages and displayed this way. Signals
are often periodic and repeat constantly, so that multiple samples of a

signal which is actually varying with time are displayed as a steady

picture. Many oscilloscopes (storage oscilloscopes) can also capture
non-repeating waveforms for a specified time, and show a steady
display of the captured segment.
Oscilloscopes are commonly used to observe the exact wave shape of
an electrical signal. Oscilloscopes are usually calibrated so that voltage
and time can be read as well as is possible by eye. This allows the
measurement of, for example, peak-to-peak voltage of a waveform, the
frequency of periodic signals, the time between pulses, the time taken
for a to rise to full amplitude (rise time), and relative timing of several
related signals.[1]
Oscilloscopes are used in the sciences, medicine, engineering, and
telecommunications industry. General-purpose instruments are used
for maintenance of electronic equipment and laboratory work. Specialpurpose oscilloscopes may be used for such purposes as analyzing an
automotive ignition system, or to display the waveform of the
heartbeat as an electrocardiogram. Some computer sound software
allows the sound being listened to to be displayed on the screen as by
an oscilloscope.
Before the advent of digital electronics oscilloscopes used cathode ray
tubes as their display element (hence were commonly referred to as
CROs) and linear amplifiers for signal processing. More advanced
storage oscilloscopes used special storage CRTs to maintain a steady
display of a single brief signal. CROs were later largely superseded by
digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs) with thin panel displays,
fast analog-to-digital converters and digital signal processors. DSOs
without integrated displays (sometimes known as digitisers) are
available at lower cost, and use a general-purpose digital computer to
process and display
waveforms. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscilloscope

A hub

A hub is a piece of hardware that contains several ethernet ports that

connects several computers. Connecting a hub to a network is very
easy. You can simply connect a hub to your router, and then several
computers to the hub. The IP addresses of the computers that are
connected to the hub are assigned by the router it is connected to.
Hubs work by broadcasting data to all computers that are connected to
it. When a computer or program makes a request for information from
another computer, the originating computer sends (broadcasts) the
request to the hub. The hub will then brodcast the request to all
computers that are connect to it. When the destination computer
receives the request, it sends the information back to the hub. Once
again the hub broadcasts the information to all computers, with only
the requesting computer acting on the information.
The downside to this type of connection is that the bandwidth is
subdivided between the number of computers that are connected to
the hub. If you have a 100Mbps connection, and 2 computers
connected to the hub, then the bandwidth available to each computer
is 50Mbps. With 4 computers, the bandwidth drops to 25Mbps.
An alternative to hubs are switches.

RJ45

RJ45 may refer to:

RJ45 (telecommunications), a connector standard for telephone
cables
RJ45 (computers), a connector for computer network (Ethernet)
cables
Modular connectors come in four sizes: 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-position,
where a position is a location for a contact. Not all of the positions may
have contacts installed. When contacts are omitted, they are typically
done so from the outermost pair of contacts inward, such that the
number of contacts is almost always an even number. The insulating
plastic bodies of 4P and 6P connectors have different widths, whereas
8P or 10P connectors share an even larger body width. The connector
body positions with omitted contacts or contacts unattached to wires
are unused for the electrical connection, but ensure that the plug fits
correctly. For instance, RJ11 cables often have connectors with 6
positions and 4 contacts, to which are attached just 2 wires.
The connectors are designated with two numbers that represent the
quantity of positions and contacts, with each number followed by a "P"
and "C", respectively: for example, "6P2C" for a connector having 6
positions and 2 contacts. Alternate designations omit the "P" and "C"
while separating the position and contact quantities with either an "x"
("6x2") or a slash ("6/2").
Internally, the contacts have sharp prongs that when crimped, pierce
the insulation and connect with the wire conductor, a mechanism
known as insulation displacement. Ethernet cables, in particular, may
have solid or stranded wire conductors and the sharp prongs are
different in the 8P8C connectors made for each type of wire. A modular
plug for solid (single strand) wire often has three slightly splayed
prongs on each contact to securely surround and grip the conductor.
Modular plugs for stranded or tinsel wire have prongs that are
designed to connect to multiple wire strands. Connector plugs are
designed for either solid or stranded wire; a plug for one wire type
might not make reliable contact when crimped to a cable with wires of
the other type.
The dimensions of the connectors are such that a plug can be
inserted into a jack that has more positions than the plug, leaving the

jack's outermost contacts unconnected. However, not all plugs from all
manufacturers have this capability, and some jack manufacturers warn
that their jacks are not designed to accept smaller plugs without
damage. If an inserted plug lacks contact slots at the outermost
extremes, it may permanently deform the outmost contacts of an
incompatible jack.
The contact positions are numbered sequentially starting from 1.
When viewed head-on with the retention mechanism on the bottom,
jacks will have contact position number 1 on the left and plugs will
have it on the right. Contacts are numbered by the contact position.
For example, on a 6-position, 2-contact plug, where the outermost four
positions do not have contacts, the innermost two contacts are
numbered 3 and 4.
Some modular connectors are indexed: their dimensions are
intentionally non-standard, preventing connections with connectors of
standard dimensions. The means of indexing may be non-standard
cross-section dimensions or shapes, retention mechanism dimensions,
or retention mechanism quantity. For example, a Modified Modular
Jack (MMJ) using an offset latching tab was developed by Digital
Equipment Corporation (DEC) to prevent accidental interchange of data
and telephone cables.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RJ45

RJ45

RJ45 is a standard type of connector for network cables. RJ45

connectors are most commonly seen with Ethernet cables and
networks.
RJ45 connectors feature eight pins to which the wire strands of a cable
interface electrically. Standard RJ-45 pinouts define the arrangement
of the individual wires needed when attaching connectors to a cable.
Several other kinds of connectors closely resemble RJ45 and can be
easily confused for each other. The RJ-11 connectors used with
telephone cables, for example, are only slightly smaller (narrower) than
RJ-45
connectors. http://compnetworking.about.com/od/networkcables/g/blde
f_rj45.htm

Switches

Switches are similar to hubs in that they allow you to connect multiple
computers together on a network. You can also connect switches to
routers in the same way you connect hubs.
There are several differences between hubs and switches, however,
that can boost the performance of your network. The performance
increase has to do with how data is transmitted between the
computers on your network.
While hubs transmit data via broadcasting the data to all computers
that are connected to it, switches establish a direct connection
between the transmitting and receiving computers. The added benefit
of this is that the bandwidth is not subdivided. If you have a 100Mbps
bandwidth on your network with 2 computers connected to a switch,
the total bandwidth available to both computers is 100Mbps. This
means that each port on the switch has the full bandwidth dedicated to

it.
Many switches also have the ability to either use half- or full-duplex
(receive and transmit at the same time). Hubs are half-duplex, which
means they can either receive or transmit, but not both at the same
time.
As you can see you can replace existing hubs on your network with
switches to increase the effective speed of your
network. http://technicallyeasy.net/2008/11/what-are-hubs-andswitches/