What is HUB in Computer Network ?
A hub is a physical network device that connects multiple network segments. Hubs typically contain multiple ports so that they can physically connect to multiple devices at the same time.
When a hub receives a data packet from one of the devices connected to it, the hub forwards the packet to all of the other devices connected to it. This allows each device on the network to communicate with every other device on the network.
There are various types of network devices eg, Hub, Repeaters, Routers etc, however, in this article we will only discuss about Hub, it's types, how does it work and it's functions.
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| Hub in Computer Network |
Types of Hub in Computer Network
There are three types of hubs:
- Passive Hub
- Active Hub
- Intelligent Hub
Passive hubs simply forward packets as they come in, without any processing.
Active hubs include amplifiers to boost the signal before forwarding it.
Intelligent hubs actually read the packets and can do some processing on them before forwarding them. For example, they can keep track of which devices are connected to which ports and can refuse to forward packets to devices that are not connected.
How Does Hub Work in Networking?
A hub is a device commonly used to connect segments of a LAN.
- A hub contains multiple ports.
- When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.
- Hubs are thus repeaters with multiple input and output ports.
- Hubs are commonly used to connect segments of a LAN.
A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.
Functions of Hub in Networking
A hub is a networking device that allows multiple computers to connect to each other and share data.
Hubs typically have four or more ports that allow multiple devices to be connected at the same time.
One of the most common uses for a hub is to connect multiple computers in a home or small office so they can share files, printers, and other resources.
Difference between Hub and Switch
A hub and a switch are both devices used to connect computers and other devices on a network, but there are some important differences between the two.
A hub simply connects all the devices on a network together, while a switch is a more sophisticated device that can selectively connect and disconnect devices on a network.
This means that a switch can control the flow of traffic on a network, while a hub cannot.
Additionally, a switch can provide each device on a network with its own dedicated connection, while a hub shares a single connection between all devices.
This can be important for ensuring that each device has enough bandwidth for its needs.
Finally, switches are typically more expensive than hubs.
