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The phrases switch, hubs, and routers are frequently used interchangeably in networking, which is incorrect. Despite their similarities, they differ in how they manage data. These three aspects may be combined into a single gadget, making it difficult for students to differentiate between them. In this piece, we will look through each gadget in depth.
What Is Hub?
A hub is typically used to link LAN segments (Local Area Network). A hub has numerous ports. When a packet comes at one port, this is replicated to other ports to ensure that all LAN segments may view all packets. A hub serves as a central connecting point for network devices.
The Benefits of Using Hubs
- They can join the network via various physical mediums.
- They have the potential to extend the network’s reach.
- Hubs are very inexpensive when compared to switches & other network equipment.
The drawbacks of employing a hub
- It increases the likelihood of packet collision domains moving from one device to another.
- Hubs function on a half-duplex basis. At any given moment, only one device may send or receive data.
- Hubs provide data to all network devices, making the network unsecure.
- When sending data, hubs consume a lot of bandwidth.
What Is Switch?
A switch is a broadcast communication device that operates at the OSI model’s Data link layer and links a group of devices or computers in a network. It is mostly used to transmit private messages and doesn’t waste data. A switch can quickly determine which device is attached to and which port by utilizing a MAC address, allowing it to deliver a message to a specific computer.
The Benefits of Utilizing a Switch
- It reduces the likelihood of frame collisions between domains.
- It is secure since it only sends data to the designated node.
- It increases the ports required to link the network’s available nodes.
- It expands a network’s bandwidth.
- It works in full-duplex mode.
The Drawbacks of Using Switches
- They are more costly when compared to hubs and other network equipment.
- Proper planning is necessary when dealing with multicast parcels.
- When transmitting traffic, issues may develop.
What is Router?
A router is linked to at least network entities, often two LANs, WANs (Wide Area Networks), or a LAN and its ISP’s (Internet Service Provider’s) network. The router is typically found at gateways, points where more than one network connects. The router chooses the optimal way to forward packets using headers & forwarding tables. Furthermore, routers interact with one another using protocols such as Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and configure the optimum path between any two hosts. In a word, the router forwards data packets along with networks.
The Benefits of Routers
- It may pick the optimum way on the internetwork with the help of dynamic routing algorithms.
- To decrease network traffic, it creates collision domains.
- It establishes links between various network topologies.
Router Disadvantages
- They are more costly than hubs and switches.
- They must do data analysis, and this slows them down.
- Because of its dynamic router connection, they have limited bandwidth.
Difference Between Hub, Switch, and Router
| SNO | Hub | Switch | Router |
| 1. | A Hub operates on the principle of broadcasting. | The switch operates on the principle of the MAC address. | A router functions on the principles of an IP address. |
| 2. | A Hub is a multi-port repeater where a signal provided at any ports input appears at all available ports’ output. | A switch is a type of telecommunication equipment that accepts messages from all connected devices and only transmits them to the appropriate recipient. | A router identifies the route by reading the header of an incoming packet and forwarding it to the port in which it is intended. Additionally, it is capable of filtering and encapsulating. |
| 3. | A hub is not a smart gadget that may have an amplifier on a repeater. | A switch is intelligent because it inspects the address before forwarding the signal to the appropriate device. | A router is more complex and intelligent since it can read IP addresses and route packets to another network with the same IP address. Furthermore, routers can create address tables that aid in routing choices. |
| 4. | To connect, at least one network is necessary. | Here also, to connect, at least one network is necessary. | A router must connect to at least two networks. |
| 5. | The hub is less expensive than the switch and router. | Switches are more costly than hubs. | A router is far more costly equipment than a hub or a switch. |
