A hub in a computer network is a basic networking device that connects multiple computers or devices within a Local Area Network (LAN) and allows them to communicate by sharing data. It operates at the physical layer (Layer
- of the OSI model and functions by receiving incoming data packets from one device and broadcasting them to all other connected devices indiscriminately, without filtering or managing the traffic
. Key characteristics of a network hub include:
- It acts as a central connection point for devices on the network.
- It repeats or forwards data received on one port to all other ports.
- It operates in half-duplex mode, meaning it can either send or receive data at a time, but not both simultaneously.
- All devices connected to a hub share the same bandwidth and collision domain, which can lead to network collisions and performance issues.
- It does not have the intelligence to direct data to a specific device, unlike switches.
- There are types of hubs such as active hubs (which amplify signals) and passive hubs (which simply forward signals without amplification)
Because hubs broadcast data to all devices, they are less efficient and secure compared to switches, which send data only to the intended recipient device. Due to these limitations, hubs have largely been replaced by switches in modern networks but may still be found in some older or specialized setups
. In summary, a hub is a simple, physical-layer device that connects multiple network devices by broadcasting data to all connected ports, serving as a central point in a network but without traffic management capabilities.
