Dwg: Article written and Venn diagram created.

2026-01-02T14:20:48Z

Article written and Venn diagram created.

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== Hub vs. Switch ==
A '''hub''' is a basic networking device that connects multiple devices in a local area network (LAN), broadcasting data packets to all connected devices.<ref name="ref1" /><ref name="ref2" /> In contrast, a '''network switch''' is a more sophisticated device that intelligently forwards data only to the specific device intended to receive it.<ref name="ref3" /><ref name="ref4" /> Both serve to connect devices on a network, but their methods of data handling create significant differences in performance and efficiency.<ref name="ref3" />

Switches have largely replaced hubs in modern networking due to their superior efficiency and performance.<ref name="ref2" /><ref name="ref5" /> Hubs are now considered obsolete and are seldom used except in older networks or for specific network monitoring purposes.<ref name="ref2" /><ref name="ref5" />

=== Comparison Table ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Category !! Hub !! Switch
|-
| '''OSI Model Layer''' || Operates at the Physical Layer (Layer 1).<ref name="ref1" /><ref name="ref2" /> || Operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2).
|-
| '''Data Transmission''' || Broadcasts data to all ports.<ref name="ref1" /><ref name="ref4" /> || Forwards data only to the destination port based on the MAC address.<ref name="ref3" />
|-
| '''Device Intelligence''' || Considered a non-intelligent or "dumb" device.<ref name="ref3" /> || Considered an intelligent device.<ref name="ref3" />
|-
| '''Collision Domain''' || All connected devices are in a single collision domain. || Each port has its own separate collision domain.
|-
| '''Broadcast Domain''' || All connected devices are in a single broadcast domain. || By default, all connected devices are in a single broadcast domain, but this can be segmented using VLANs.
|-
| '''Transmission Mode''' || Half-duplex (data can only be sent or received at one time). || Full-duplex (data can be sent and received simultaneously).
|-
| '''Speed and Bandwidth''' || Shares bandwidth among all connected devices, with speeds typically around 10 Mbps. || Provides dedicated bandwidth to each port, with common speeds of 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, and higher.
|}

[[File:Venn_diagram_Differences_between_Hub_versus_Switch_comparison.png|thumb|center|800px|alt=Venn diagram for Differences between Hub and Switch|Venn diagram comparing Differences between Hub and Switch]]

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="ref1">[https://www.anker.com/blogs/hubs-and-docks/what-is-a-hub-understanding-the-basics-of-networking-devices "anker.com"]. Retrieved January 02, 2026.</ref>
<ref name="ref2">[https://jumpcloud.com/it-index/what-is-a-network-hub "jumpcloud.com"]. Retrieved January 02, 2026.</ref>
<ref name="ref3">[https://themillergroup.com/differences-hubs-switches-routers/ "themillergroup.com"]. Retrieved January 02, 2026.</ref>
<ref name="ref4">[https://www.fs.com/blog/whats-the-difference-hub-vs-switch-vs-router-3290.html "fs.com"]. Retrieved January 02, 2026.</ref>
<ref name="ref5">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8fJ70FxIus "youtube.com"]. Retrieved January 02, 2026.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Comparisons]]

Differences between Hub and Switch - Revision history

Dwg: Article written and Venn diagram created.