Really: plug and play. Even after months: reliable. The device can be operated with or without power supply. I realize that all my previous USB devices "really" do not need a power supply. But it's a good feeling to know that the hub has, in the case of the case via a power supply to power external devices accordingly. The unit has 8 LEDs, but always are when the Hub "on", ie show no distinction whether a particular USB device is "active" approachable. This would certainly be very interesting in some situations.