Hubs which layer

In addition, router uses protocols such as ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol to communicate with each other and configures the best route between any two hosts. In a word, router forwards data packets along with networks. In network equipment and devices, data is usually transmitted in the form of a frame. When a frame is received, it is amplified and then transmitted to the port of the destination PC Personal Computer.

The big difference between hub and switch is in the method in which frames are being delivered. In a hub, a frame is passed along or "broadcast" to every one of its ports. It doesn't matter that the frame is only destined for one port. The hub has no way of distinguishing which port a frame should be sent to.

With this information, a network switch can identify which system is sitting on which port. So when a frame is received, it knows exactly which port to send it to, without significantly increasing network response times. Hubs unlike switches do not have any intelligence and do not process packets in any way. They just send all the data received on the hub out to all the other active ports on the hub with the exception of the incoming port.

They are basically bit spitters which send out the received packets to all connected devices on the hub without using any layer 2 logic MAC addresses. The best analogy I've heard compared a hub to a bucket with holes in it. You pour the information in like water and it flows out all the holes active hub ports without any regard to where it goes.

The information is broadcasted out all active ports by the hub and any workstations connected to that hub that does not need that packet will discard it. Hubs are basically layer 1 devices without any intelligence and do not separate collision or broadcast domains. Switches are basically layer 2 MAC addresses with some intelligence and separate collision domains.

There are various network devices such as hubs, switches, and routers used for the purpose. They are termed as a network bridge with multiple ports that which use media access control MAC addresses to receive and forward the data to the destination devices. All these three devices function differently, even if they are combined into a single device. So, it is important to know which device you should choose depending upon your requirement. This post discusses further details on hubs, switches, routers, their types such as fiber optic switches or Ethernet switches, and features.

These devices are different from each other in features and functionality, and it is important to understand them before making a decision. So, here is a quick overview of all three devices.