Prerequisite – Network Devices
Hub:
Hub is a networking devices which is used to transmit the signal to each port (except one port) to respond from which the signal was received. Hub is operated on Physical layer. In this packet filtering is not available. It is of two types: Active Hub, Passive Hub.
It is also known as a repeater as it transmits signal to every port except the port from where signal is received. Also, hubs are not that intelligent in communication and processing information for 2nd and 3rd layer.
Switch:
Switch is a network device which is used to enable the connection establishment and connection termination on the basis of need. Switch is operated on Data link layer. In this packet filtering is available. It is type of full duplex transmission mode and it is also called efficient bridge.
Basically, it is a kind of bridge that provides better connections. It is a kind of device that set up and stop the connections according to the requirements needed at that time. It comes up with many features such as flooding, filtering and frame transmission.
Difference between Hub and Switch:
| HUB | SWITCH |
|---|---|
| Hub is operated on Physical layer of OSI model. | While switch is operated on Data link layer of OSI Model. |
| Hub is a broadcast type transmission. | While switch is a Unicast, multicast and broadcast type transmission. |
| Hub have 4/12 ports. | While switch can have 24 to 48 ports. |
| In hub, there is only one collision domain. | While in switch, different ports have own collision domain. |
| Hub is a half duplex transmission mode. | While switch is a full duplex transmission mode. |
| In hub, Packet filtering is not provided. | While in switch, Packet filtering is provided. |
| Hub cannot be used as a repeater. | While switch can be used as a repeater. |
| Hub is not an intelligent device that sends message to all ports hence it is comparatively inexpensive. | While switch is an intelligent device that sends message to selected destination so it is expensive. |
| Hub is simply old type of device and is not generally used. | While switch is very sophisticated device and widely used. |
| Hacking of systems attached to hub is complex. | Hacking of systems attached to switch is little easy. |
| Speed of original hub 10Mbps and modern internet hub is 100Mbps. | Maximum speed is 10Mbps to 100Mbps. |
| Hubs are used in LANs. | Switch is used in LANs. |
| Cheaper as compared to switch. | Expensive as compared to HUB. |