Hub vs Switch vs Router – What’s the Difference?

Introduction

When we talk about Switch, Router and Hub, these terms are often used interchangeably in the networking domain but it is incorrect. Despite their similarities, they process data in different ways. We will talk about each of these devices, their functions in a network, and compare hub vs switch vs router in this article.

Network devices are critical in constructing a robust network and providing a continuous flow of communication from one end to the other. For this reason, network devices such as hubs, switches, and routers are employed. They are referred to as network bridges because they have many ports and employ media access control (MAC) addresses to accept and pass data to destination devices. Even when merged into a single gadget, all three of these devices perform differently. As a result, it is critical to understand which equipment to choose based on your needs.

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The functions of the three devices are quite diverse, even though they are occasionally combined into a single device. As a result, many individuals are confused by the distinctions between a hub, switch, and router. In this blog, we present a brief on the hub vs switch vs router to assist you in better grasping their differences.

What is Hub?

A network hub serves as a central point for all devices on a network to connect to one another. Packets are received at one of its many ports, duplicated, and then sent to the other ports so that all LAN nodes can access the information. It has multiple ports. In fact, it is a multiport repeater.  The hub’s cost is less than that of a switch and router. The bandwidth of the hub is shared across all its ports. The communication on the hub is half duplex.

How Hub works?

The hub works on layer 1 of the OSI reference model. It is a dumb device. It has no intelligence to decide how to send information from a particular source to a specific destination. The data is broadcasted over the network across all its ports except the one on which it was received. The communication is, therefore, not secure. The network may also experience congestion and collisions.

Advantages of Hub

Some advantages of hub are:

• Hubs are inexpensive and simple.
• They are easy to set up and can be set up by anyone.

Disadvantages of Hub

Some disadvantages associated with Hubs are:

• Hubs are usually inefficient as they broadcast data to all devices unnecessarily.
• If more devices are connected, it can lead to network collisions.
• Hubs are not intelligent devices, they are not capable of managing or filtering data.

What is Switch?

A networking switch is a piece of hardware that accepts data from one network and sends it to another through packet switching. A switch is an upgraded version of a hub that improves efficiency. It also works as a central networking device for devices connected to the network through that switch. It has multiple ports; 8, 16, 24, and 48. The switch is a faster bridge with many more ports.

A switch costs more than the hub but less than a router.  The switch provides dedicated bandwidth to all its ports. The communication on the switch is a full duplex.

How Switch works?

The switch works on layer 2 of the OSI reference model. It is an intelligent device that can decide to send information from a particular source to a destination. It does so based on the MAC address of the devices. The switch builds a MAC address table for all of the devices that are connected to the switch. It then uses it to forward frames from a particular source to the destination. The communication is, therefore, unicast once the switch has learned the MAC address of the destination device. The communication is, therefore, secure.

Type of Switches

Switch can be classified in two categories, which are:

• Unmanaged Switches: These are simple switches having no configuration options. They are mainly used in small home networks where advanced controls are not required.
• Managed Switches: Managed Switches are advanced switches that come with configuration options, such as traffic control, security features, and network monitoring. These are used in enterprise-level networks.

Advantages of Switches

Some of the advantages of switches are:

• Switches are capable of efficient data transmission and reducing collisions.
• They are capable of scalability for larger networks.
• Managed switches can handle VLANs.

Disadvantages of Switches

Here are disadvantages of switches:

• Switches are expensive than Hubs.
• Switches also need configuration and monitoring in larger networks.

What is Router?

A network router is used for connecting multiple networks together. It is typically used as a gateway to connect to another network. It is often used to provide WAN connectivity.

The cost of a router is greater than the switch.

How Router works?

In the OSI reference model, the router operates at layer 3. It is an intelligent device that can decide to send information from a particular source to the destination network. It does so based on the IP address allocated to each networked device. The router creates a routing table, which it then utilizes to transmit packets from one source to another. It also determines the best path to reach a specified destination network address. The router will usually only broadcast data if specifically configured.

In its most fundamental role, a router acts as a switch, learning the locations of the transmitting computers, and data is sent only via the required connections. The router can only communicate if it is started by it. This implies the router is also used as a reliable, effective firewall. Now that we have discussed about all three devices, it is time to move on to compare hub vs switch vs router.

Types of Routers

There are three types of routers:

• Wired Routers: These routers connect various devices via Ethernet cable. So, they are less flexible but very fast.
• Wireless Routers: These devices allow devices to connect wirelessly. It includes Wi-Fi, access points, etc.
• Core Routers: These routers are used in large networks, such as ISPs and Data Centers, for directing data within the network.

Advantages of Router

Advantages of router are:

• Routers enable connection to internet access and connect multiple devices.
• Routers also provide security features, such as firewalls and enrcyption.
• It supports multiple devices.
• It supports network management tools, such as DHCP and NAT.

Disadvantages of Router

Some disadvantages of routers are:

• They are the most expensive among the three devices.
• Routers are more complicated as compared to Hub and Switches.
• It also required more configuration and an expert to manage.

Now that we have covered all the three devices individually, let’s see the comparison between Hub vs Switch vs Router.

Hub Vs Switch Vs Router

Here are the difference between hub, switch and router. Although hubs are a basic and affordable alternative, they can promptly bottleneck network traffic. Switches are an upgrade from hubs and can boost network performance, but they are still insufficient if you necessitate linking various networks together. In that case, you will need a router. Hence, whether you are an amateur user or a network administrator, comprehending the comparison of hub vs switch vs router is indispensable to constructing a dependable and efficient network.

These is the comparison between Hub vs Switch vs Router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 – What is the difference between router and switch and hub?

Routers connect multiple networks and determine the best path for data transmission based on IP addresses. Switches connect devices within a network and enable efficient data transfer using MAC addresses. Hubs, on the other hand, simply broadcast data to all connected devices. Each device plays a unique role in network communication, with routers managing network connectivity, switches facilitating device-level communication, and hubs providing basic connectivity without intelligent decision-making capabilities.

Q2 – What is the difference between a hub and a switch?

The main difference between a hub and a switch is that a hub operates at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model and simply broadcasts data to all connected devices, while a switch operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) and selectively forwards data based on MAC addresses, resulting in more efficient data transmission and reduced network congestion.

Q3 – Which is faster hub or switch?

A switch is generally faster than a hub. Switches operate at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and have the ability to selectively forward data packets based on MAC addresses. This allows them to create dedicated communication paths between devices, resulting in faster and more efficient data transmission within a network. In contrast, hubs operate at the physical layer (Layer 1) and simply broadcast data to all connected devices, leading to more network congestion and potentially slower performance.

Q4 – What are 5 differences between hub and switch?

The five main differences between a hub and a switch are as follows:

1. Operation: Hubs broadcast data to all devices, while switches selectively forward data based on MAC addresses.
2. Broadcast: Hubs cause network congestion with data collisions, whereas switches reduce congestion by directing data to the intended recipient.
3. Bandwidth: Hubs share bandwidth among devices, leading to decreased performance, while switches provide dedicated bandwidth for efficient data transfers.
4. Security: Hubs lack security features, making data more vulnerable, whereas switches offer some level of security by forwarding data only to the intended device.
5. Cost: Hubs are generally cheaper, but switches provide more functionality and performance enhancements, making them the preferred choice for modern networks.

Conclusion

If someone has little expertise with networking, they may get confused after hearing the terms switches, routers, and hubs and be unable to differentiate between them. Understanding how one device varies from the others can assist you in selecting the appropriate device for your network since these devices have varied characteristics. Knowing the difference between hub, switch, and router will help you pick the best device for your network. After reading this blog, you will have a better understanding of hub vs switch vs router and will be able to pick the equipment you need.