Networking has provided multiple directions to technology and has influenced different collaborative work techniques. Ethernet has been a part of the development, where the technology has displayed dynamic transitions that helped users and companies observe the use of different network hardware. This article will be putting up a compare between Ethernet Switch vs. Hub, two diverse Ethernet connectivity formats.
The Ethernet Switch, the technology foundational to the concept of networking and the internet, represents network hardware and is one of the critical components of the wireless router. It connects wired devices, including computers, desktops, laptops, and other computing devices and peripherals, with a local area network (LAN). The wired connections observed are a clear depiction of the Ethernet Switch. Using multiple switch ports indulges faster connectivity and smooth access to the internet on all connected devices.
The creation of networks with multiple computing devices in a lab or an office is created with the help of Ethernet switching. All wired infrastructures are designed with the use of Ethernet switches instead of routers, which pose a different technology under similar concepts. With the Ethernet Switch, devices within the network can exchange data and communicate with each other, thus restricting network connectivity to the devices.
An Ethernet Hub is different from the Ethernet Switch, where it connects broadcast signals to computers through a local area network (LAN). It, however, connects with the computers through a specific process of flooding, which is referred to as unicast. This works as a networking device that extends the network by providing multiple connectivity ports. There, however, is no differentiation of computers in this network, which potentially means that anything transferred from one device to another will be received by all devices in connection.
This potentially explains the existence of no privacy in the Ethernet Hub model. It completely represents a shared network, which is cheaper than the networking switching model. Ethernet hubs are used for particular purposes, where the connected devices are to be transferred or transmitted with the same messages and files, thus saving time in establishing individual communications.
We will now be asserting a comparative overview of Ethernet Switch vs. Hub and provide an in-depth analysis of which model suits the best in your case. Look into the tabular details to know more about the difference between these two network hardware settings.
| Feature | Ethernet Hub | Ethernet Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Layer | Layer 1 devices according to the OSI model, which is a Physical Layer. | Layer 2 devices according to the OSI model, which is a Data Link Layer. |
| Manufacturers | Sun Systems, Oracle, and Cisco | Cisco and D-Link Juniper |
| Device Type | Passive Device (Without Software) | Active Device (With Software) & Networking Device |
| Device Category | Non-intelligent Device | Intelligent Device |
| Used In | LAN | LAN |
| Function | Connection of personal computers in a network. | Connection of multiple devices, manage ports, and VLAN security settings. |
| Ports | 4/12 Ports | 24/48 Ports, with a Multi-Port Bridge |
| Speed | 10Mbps | 10/100Mbps, 1Gbps |
| Data Transmission Form | Electrical Signal or Bits | Frame (L2 Switch) Frame & Packet (L3 Switch) |
| Transmission Type | Works with frame flooding, with either unicast, multicast, or broadcast. | First broadcast; unicast & multicast as needed. |
| Transmission Mode | Half Duplex | Half/Full Duplex |
| Table | Does Not Store MAC Addresses | Utilize Content Accessible Memory CAM Table, which is accessed by ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Chips) |
| Broadcast Domain | One | One [Unless VLAN Implemented] |
| Addresses Used | Uses a MAC address, Optionally | Uses MAC Address |
| Internet Connection | Not Required | Not Required |
| Collisions | Occurs Quite Commonly | No Collisions |
The provided details show that Ethernet Switch can be used in systems that cover multiplayer gaming and file sharing. A hub can do good for the system if the specific necessity involves a singular file-sharing method.
This article has provided a comprehensive comparative analysis of Ethernet Switch vs. Hub to help you decide the best network hardware system for your computer systems. To create a networking model, look over this article to learn more about Ethernet Switches and Ethernet Hubs.