How can I have multiple USB peripherals?

Question

How can I have multiple USB peripherals connected to my Raspberry Pi at once? For example, I want to have a keyboard and a mouse plugged in at the same time.

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 17 '17 at 06:14

The Model B has two USB ports, so if that's what you're acquiring you won't have an issue (at the time of writing, 15/06/12, the B is the only model currently available.

If you're using a Model A, or you want additional devices as well as a keyboard and mouse, you'll need an external hub (that is, a USB hub with its own power supply.)

It connects to the Pi via one USB port and provides several others which all share the available bandwidth:

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If you choose to use a hub make sure it's powered by an external power supply, (not bus-powered.) This will ensure all the devices connected receive the power that they need.

Searching for "powered USB hub" on most sites that sell electronic goods will bring up what you need. This was the first result with such a query on Amazon (bear in mind that's the UK based site and comes with a UK power adapter.)

@Jivings Ah sorry - I grabbed the image from the first Google shopping result that turned up here: http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&q=powered+usb+2+hub&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5445714933587139063&sa=X&ei=LyzbT9ymOYyS8gPasJzKCw&ved=0CNQBEPMCMAE though it shows no actual retailers at present... — berry120, Jun 15 '12 at 12:48

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 15 '12 at 05:56

3

You can use a USB hub for that. From Wikipedia,

USB hub is a device that expands a single USB port into several so that there are more ports available to connect devices to a host system.

Make sure that the Raspberry Pi has enough power to power itself and the USB hub, or else the Raspberry Pi may become unstable or fail to boot. This can be ensured by using a reputable powered USB hub.

edited Jun 15 '12 at 05:56

Alex Chamberlain

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answered Jun 15 '12 at 04:39

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To avoid power issues you may want to spend a few extra dollars and get a powered hub. – Steve Robillard Jun 15 '12 at 04:46

score 2 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 15 '12 at 09:23

2

The Model B actually has two USB ports, so keyboard and mouse will be fine.

edited Jun 15 '12 at 09:23

Jivings

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answered Jun 15 '12 at 04:58

David Sykes

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How can I have multiple USB peripherals?

3 Answers3