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I/O expandersare a type of computer hardware that allows more than one device to connect to a single port on a computer.

### How do I/O expanders work?

The expander connects to a single spot, but has multiple connections for other devices. Such expanders offer the advantage of allowing more devices of a particular port type to be used at the same time. This commonly used with USBs and ethernet ports.

### Types of I/O expanders

There are two main types of I/O expanders: internal and external.

### Internal expanders

These have a connection inside the computer, typically on the [motherboard](/web/c/pcb-prototyping/printed-circuit-boards-pcb/), and the only part the user can see is the expansion plate which houses the ports to which they can connect more devices.

### External expanders

An external expander plugs into an existing port introducing multiple new places to connect. When not part of a computer system, these devices are commonly known as splitters.



An I O expander is a type of computer hardware that allows more than one device to connect to a single port via a computer.

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I/O Expanders

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