A network hub is a very simple networking device that allows numerous computers to communicate with other networking devices. Now, for your information, hubs are ubiquitous network infrastructure devices that are utilized for LAN communication, while switches have mostly replaced hubs. Hubs work in accordance with the LAN’s central connecting point.
People, on the other hand, have a lot of reservations about Hubs. So I thought to myself today, why should you be given entire information on Hubs so that you can understand how this networking device works and what its benefits and drawbacks are? Let’s get this conversation started.
- What is Hub
- Types of Hubs
- Passive Hub
- Active Hub
- Intelligent Hub
- what is a network hub
- What are the features of Network Hub?
- How does the Hub work?
- What are the uses of Hubs?
- How to set up a Network Hub in your home?
- What are the Advantages of Hub?
- What are the Disadvantages of Hub?
- What are the applications of Hub?
- Why is a hub used?
- What is meant by gateway?
- Why is the switch called an intelligent hub?
What is Hub
This hub essentially functions as a multiport repeater. This hub is used to connect many wires that originate from various branches, such as the connection used in a star topology to connect separate stations.
Data packets are sent to all connected devices since hubs cannot filter data. In other words, a collision domain exists for all hosts linked to the hub.
Apart from that, they lack their own intelligence, making it impossible for them to determine the optimum routing for data packets, resulting in waste and inefficiencies.
Types of Hubs
Hubs can be classified into three basic categories based on their technical characteristics. Passive hubs, active hubs, and intelligent hubs are the three types.
Passive Hub
The wiring from the nodes and the power supply of the Active Hub are collected by Passive Hubs. These hubs do not clean or amplify signals before sending them to the network, thus, therefore, cannot be utilized to lengthen the distance between nodes.
It only broadcasts signals through the input port, while sending them through the output port, as its name implies.
At the same time, it does not regenerate or process signals because it just serves as a topological connector that connects several wires.
Active Hub
Hubs are self-contained signal cleaners, boosters, and relays that have their own power source and can clean, boost, and relay signals in the network on their own. It functions as a repeater as well as a wiring center. They’re utilized to increase the distance between nodes to the utmost possible.
This active hub serves as more than a connector since it regenerates data bits to determine whether or not the signals are strong. A multiport repeater is another term for an active hub.
It acts as an interface as well as actively engaging in a network. It can also easily check data before transferring it to other connections, and it can occasionally improve signals before forwarding them.
With this function, network issues can be quickly troubleshot.
Intelligent Hub
An intelligent hub can effortlessly execute all of the functions that a passive hub and active hub can, and they work together to properly manage network resources, resulting in good network performance.
The real location of the problem can be discovered using an intelligent hub, allowing it to be removed from the source. It is very flexible to various technologies and can be utilized without requiring significant configuration changes.
Bridging, routing, switching, and network administration are just a few of the duties performed by this intelligent hub.
What is a network hub?
A network hub is a networking device that connects to several peripherals in a network and allows them to work together as a single segment, rather than broadcasting data across each link like a switch or router does. It does not send them to a particular device.
Different speeds are also available on network hubs, which are referred to as network data rates or bandwidth. Whereas older network hubs could only provide 10 Mbps, today’s hubs can provide rates of up to 100 Mbps.
A dual-speed network hub, which comes in both 10 and 100 Mbps and provides connecting points to PCs and printers, is required in today’s larger networks.
As a result, consider how many devices will be connected to the network hub before making a purchase.
What are the features of Network Hub?
Do you know how many PCs can be connected to a single large hub? When it comes to USB hubs, we can connect 127 devices to one and 32 to a network hub. Let’s have a look at what Network Hub has to offer.
It has a half-duplex mode of operation.
It comes in sizes ranging from four to twenty-four ports.
If there is collision detection and retransmission of packets, the hosts are accountable.
Active hubs, passive hubs, and intelligent hubs are the three main categories.
How does the Hub work?
In the actual sense, a network hub is more of an interconnection point. A repeater, not merely a common link, is what a changeable port is for a cluster of computers. Its most common operation is to send whatever information it receives to all of the associated PC terminals.
The main disadvantage is that it contains data repetition, resulting in excessive data traffic being delivered to the network. As a result, the data is transferred in bulk, with no indication of its intended recipient.
When compared to switches, it performs better since switches manage the flow of data traffic in a more orderly manner. A switch is a highly clever piece of equipment. It quickly determines who should receive the data.
The network bandwidth is increased by sending the correct data packets to the correct units. As a result, we can conclude that employing Switches instead of Hubs eliminates any needless data burden in the network. The same quantity of data is transmitted to all units from this wasteful data flow, whether they are needed or not.
Hubs are more commonly used in small networks, whereas switches are more commonly used in large networks. These network hubs are devices that use the OSI Model’s Layer 1 to operate in (physical layer) and Layer 2 to operate in (data link layer).
A switch and a hub are frequently combined and used according to a switching hub, which aids in delivering the correct data packets to the correct location.
What are the uses of Hubs?
These network hubs can be used in place of switches because they are not very expensive. Along with being cheap, they are used in many works only.
- In some special cases, hubs are used in place of network taps for the effective installation of the protocol analyzer.
- The network hub is very efficient to receive a very large traffic load that comes from a cluster of computers.
- These are very easy to use. Whereas if we had to use a switch instead of the hub then we have to configure the switch settings first.
- They can be used To establish the loop, where it is necessary to provide a connection to the end-users in a presentation hall.
- Hubs can be used for network extension because network hubs repeat each and every data packets further to whatever is sent to them.
- Whereas hubs are used more specifically in small networks.
How to set up a Network Hub in your home?
If you want to set up a network hub in your home, then for this you have to do some important steps. like before your internet connection has to be brought from an ISP (Internet Service Provider). Once your Internet connection is installed, then you can connect your network hub with the modem and for this, you can use a network cable (Cat5 or RJ-45).
After this, if you want, you can also connect another cable with the NIC ( Network Interface Card ) of your computer. You can also do this with your other computers and printers that are in your network. Whereas if you have a wireless network, then you can use a wireless hub; Just make sure that your hub has as many wireless ports available as your connection.
What are the Advantages of Hub?
Let us know about the Advantages of Hubs.
- It can easily be extended over the entire distance of the network.
- Using them does not affect the performance of the network much.
- They are very cheap so everyone can use them.
- Many different media types can be easily connected with them.
What are the Disadvantages of Hub?
Let us know about some disadvantages of Hubs.
- It does not have many advanced mechanisms such as collision detection and retransmission of packets.
- They do not operate in Full-Duplex Mode.
- It cannot connect with other network architectures such as token rings and ethernet.
- It cannot be used to filter information ie it passes packets to all connected segments.
- There is no mechanism to reduce network traffic in this.
What are the applications of Hub?
Networking Hub is a very widely used networking connectivity device. It has many advantages compared to other connectivity devices. Let’s try to know about some applications of Hub:
