Hub, Switch, and Router

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What are the differences between HUB, SWITCH, and ROUTER?



Hub:

  • A hub is a basic networking device that operates at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model.
  • It is essentially a multi-port repeater, meaning it broadcasts data received on one port to all other ports.
  • Hubs are simple and inexpensive but have significant limitations. They can lead to network congestion and reduced performance because all devices connected to a hub share the available bandwidth.



Switch:

  • A switch operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
  • Unlike a hub, a switch is more intelligent and selectively forwards data only to the specific device it is intended for. This reduces network congestion and improves efficiency.
  • Switches build and maintain a MAC address table to keep track of the devices connected to each port, allowing them to make more informed forwarding decisions.
  • Switches are widely used in modern networks for local area network (LAN) connections.


Router:

  • A router operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
  • Routers are responsible for connecting different networks and directing data between them.
  • They use routing tables to make decisions about the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination across different networks.
  • Routers provide functions such as network address translation (NAT), which allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address.


Image Sources: https://images.wisegeek.com/network-hub-with-cable.jpg, https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.mhint/product_images_max_res/561044/max_561044pro_2.jpg, https://bluegadgettooth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wireless_router_specifications.jpg

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