Surely at some point you’ve heard of Hub, Switch and Routers devices, but most likely you don’t know for sure what their functions are, how we can use them in our networks domestic or business or what differences they keep between them.
The truth is that the three devices fulfill very similar functions and perhaps what we know about them in the first instance is that they work making possible the creation of networks for computers. While this is so, There are some differences between these devices, which gives each one a different function.
Sometimes it is difficult to understand the differences between these devices between them, their function and how we can use it according to our needs. However, in this article we have given ourselves the task of explaining in detail the function that each of the devices plays, making clear the existing discrepancies so that it is easier for you to understand it and this information can be of your knowledge.
Index:
What is a hub (hub) and how does it work?
Known as a hub, the Hub is a device that fulfills a basic and simple mission: establish an interconnection of computers on a local network. The Hub is only dedicated to receiving information from a computer and transmit it to the rest, so this makes it even easier than your sister devices.
This then tells us that the Hub is a connection center that accumulates information and then relays it to other destinations. What the Hub does when connecting a series of computers is known as LAN (local area network). The information that reaches the Hub is relayed to each of the computers that are connected in the network, something that is not always pleasant for the user experience that would like to send information to a specific computer.
In aviation, the term Hub refers to an airport where planes arrive with passengers from different destinations to depart to a different one, being a common point for the arrival of users who will have to leave for another place. Something like that works a Hub in computing, receives information from each computer and makes the retransmission to the rest of the equipment that are connected to the local area network.
Hub devices have clear disadvantages compared to their peers, so their use has declined significantly in recent years, with companies preferring the use of Switch devices that can be adjusted without problem to their needs. Although is still used to enable the connection of some simple home networks, since the Hub adapts to the speed of the slowest device on the network.
What is a switch and what functions does it have?
The Switch, also known as a switch, has functions very similar to those of your sister device, but has certain differences in the sending of information. The Switch device is capable of transmitting direct information from its origin to a specific computer that works as a destination without having to replicate the information to all the computers on the network, a function that the Hub cannot fulfill, why this has been displaced little by little.
Another advantage of the Switch over the Hub is the ability for other computers on the network to send information while a process is already underway between different sources and destinations.
The truth is that the Switch has significantly improved the functions of the Hub, since although it has somewhat limited functions it is still superior to those of this one. In addition to working with a larger number of computers connected to your network, which makes users a better option than the Hub.
What is a router and what uses does it have?
The Router or router is a much more advanced device than the Hub and Switch, because it can fulfill the functions of this and others. Its main function is to transmit data packets between different networks.
It has the ability to fulfill the main function of the Switch to send data from its origin to its destination, but with the ability to intelligently choose the best route to complete the process, hence we can call you router.
This device uses at least two networks that can be two LAN’s or WLAN’s; or a LAN and a wide area network (WAN) that is used for the ISP connection. There are quite advanced Router devices that have the possibility of connecting an ADSL cable, which allows faster data transmission in one sense than in another; others allow the connection of a classic modem through a serial port in case the main connection fails.
Routers have the ability to interconnect several networks and although many can incorporate the functions of the three devices in question within themselves, sometimes they usually work together with Hub or Switch, according to the need. The truth is that at the end of everything, the Router ends up choosing the most convenient way, the least congested to execute the transmission of information, doing it completely instead of sending it in frames.
Internet providers usually include a router when they make their contracts to provide their services. Routers today include technologies such as hardware-based Firewall in order to keep the network protected against possible DDoS, (denial of service attacks) or any other danger that may exist.
Differences and comparison between a Hub, Switch and Router Which is better?
Definitely the question about which device is better than the three in question is very simple to answer without much thought: the Router. This advanced device represents a high level of evolution compared to the previous two , since it has the ability to combine the functions of both in itself.
But in addition to that the Router allows a computer not only to connect to the local network (as it happens in Hub or Switch), but can also establish connection with other networks.
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Both Hub and Switch use the frame format to transport the data, the difference between them is in the way of sending the information, since while the Hub does not have the ability to know what is the destination of the information you have to retransmit it to each of the computers that are connected to the network to ensure that it can arrive.
The Switch has the ability to select the machine that will function as a destination by having a record of MAC addresses, something that would avoid generating network traffic.