Hub Vs Bridge – what are the main differences?
Are you looking to know the differences between a networking hub and bridge? The following article provides a detailed review of what they are and their major differences in functionality.
When using a network in the large scale, there are devices you may need that may not be required in a home network setup. Two of such devices are hubs and bridges. A hub is small networking device that transmits a network signal to each port from where the signal was received. It is part of the physical layer of networking.There are two types of bus: active hub and passive hubs.
A bridge on the other hand is a network device that connects two different LocalArea Network (LAN) on the same protocol. A bridge is considered more intelligent than a hub since it performs data filtration. The bridge works in the data link layer of the OSI networking model. For large organizations such as schools and work offices, hubs and bridges are used for their respective functions. They are used in conjunction with other networking devices such as switches.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between aHub and a Bridge?
Devices |
Hub |
Bridge |
Types |
Active and passive |
Source route & transparent and translation |
Ports |
Multiple ports |
Multiple independent:
One port incoming One port outgoing |
OSI Layer |
Physical |
Data Link layer |
Data filtration |
No |
Yes |
Type of address |
MAC address |
MAC address |
Hub vs. Bridge – How do these devices compare?
Hubs are quite different from bridges in terms of functionality and operations. The following section highlights the features of both devices and how the compare.
Connections and ports
Since hubs and bridges are quite different in operations and use, they vary a lot in their ports and external connections. While hubs are simple and only establish connection between several connected devices, the come with a lot more ports than bridges. A hub works as a connector of different LAN connections from devices. Because of this, hubs may have as little as four ports and as many as 128 ports depending on the brand and price tag. On the other hand, bridges only feature multiple ports divided into two main categories: one incoming and one outgoing ports. The ports are independent ensure that data for one device does not go and is not accessed by another device.
Functionality and use
Hubs and bridges are used over a large scale network connections by large organizations and institutions such as schools. A hub acts as a link between connected devices and does not provide data filtering. Devices such as PCs are connected to the hub through Ethernet cables. The device acts as the main connector of the LAN segments. The main purpose of the hub is to move the packets of data to the connected devices. The lack of data filtering means that when a packet of data is sent by one device or node, it is forwarded to connected devices through the hub. This is also the reason hubs are considered unintelligent networking devices. On the other side, we have the bridge. A bridge is much more secure since it offers data filtering. A bridge is used to connect two LAN of different devices that are operating on the same protocol. It is also used to break down or fragment large LAN into smaller networks. A bridge works by receiving frames of data from the network. It then takes the destination address from the frame and checks for a location to send the frame. In turn, this means that devices or lines connected to a bridge can have their own collision domains. Bridges are therefore considered intelligent networking devices.
Supported devices
Hubs and bridges are versatile in terms of the devices they support. This is because they come with multiple ports. A hub can be connected to other networking devices such as switches, it can also be connected to PCs through the many gigabit Ethernet ports it comes with. A bridge on the other hand comes with two ports that are meant to connect different LANs on the same network protocol. They can be connected to hubs, switches and PCs through the LAN Ethernet ports they come with
Hub vs. Bridge – A comparison Overview
Hub – Overview
A hub is a networking device that provides a simple functionality yet very essential in the operation of a network, especially a large network connection. The main job of this small device is to provide a connection between the multiple devices connected to it. It transmits the network signal to each port except the receiver port. The hub is an important device as devices cannot communicate with each other over a large network without them. Because of this, you will mainly find them being used in institutions such as schools and office buildings. The hub operated on the physical layer of the OSI networking model. This means it falls under the unintelligent category of networking devices. However, the main reason it is referred to as unintelligent is because it does not provide data filtering. For instance, it say four PCs are connected the hub and one of the PCs sends data to the hub, the packet of data would be forwarded to the remaining three connected PCs.
There are also two types of hubs: active and passive hubs. A passive hub only allows for the transmission of electric signals. The active hub on the other hand also provides passage for the electric signals but also boosts and regenerates the signal before it is transmitted to the connected devices. The active hub does not do data processing.
Totu USB type – C 8 in 1 Hub
- Multiport connection: TOTU USB C hub includes 1 Ethernet/RJ-45 Port, 1 USB Type-C Female PD charging...
- Effortless data transfer: connect to your smartphone, tablet, hard drive or other USB peripheral via the...
One of the most affordable yet durable hubs you can find today is the Totu USB type C hub. This hub is one of the most versatile hubs in the market today. Released by the Totu Company in early 2019, the hub has received a lot of praise and high ratings among customers. The hub features eight ports as the name suggests. The ports are all different for versatility and allowing all manner of devices to be connected. They include: one RJ45 Ethernet port, one USB type C female charging port,two USB 3. 0 Type A ports, one TF SD card slot, one HDMI port, one SD card slot, one USB 2. 0 Type A port. As you can see, there is almost no device that cannot be connected to this hub.
The Totu hub is very small and was designed this way for people who travel a lot. It is pocket friendly and light for easy portability. The device comes with a one year warranty and supports up to 1000 Mbps for fast connections. The device also charges fast and can be easily charged by other devices such as MacBook and laptops. The package comes with a user manual, travel pouch, the one year warranty and one USB C hub.
Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Hub
- V2 MODEL - your favorite Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter just got even better with an upgraded Micro...
- EXPANSION PORTS - includes 4K HDMI (60Hz), Ethernet, USB-C PD Charging up to 60W, SD/Micro Card Reader...
Satechi is known for having some of the most durable hubs in the market today. This hub for instance comes with a sold aluminum body exterior for the ultimate longevity. The Satechi hub comes with eight ports with a slightly different lineup compared to the previous. The ports include: a 4K HDMI port, Ethernet RJ45 port, a USB type C for charging, SD reader port and three USB 3.0 ports. There are very few devices that cannot be connected to this hub. In addition, it comes with a plug and play feature that does not require any installation processes. It is important to note that this hub is pricey and may not be the best choice if you’re on a budget. However, we recommend for the robust and sturdy design that ensures durability even when traveling. The Satechi hub comes in multiple color: space grey, silver and gold.
Anker USB C Hub, 7-in-1 USB C Adapter
- The Anker Advantage: Join the 30 million+ powered by our leading technology.
- Massive Expansion: 3 standard USB ports, 1 HDMI port, 2 SD card slots (one microSD), and a USB-C...
The Anker Hub is a great hub for anyone looking for a mid-range priced hub with superb performance and portability. This small device provides some of the best performance with a speed of up to 5000 Mbps. This high speed allows for intensive network usage such as 4K video streams at a frequency of 30 Hz. Unlike the previous two hubs, this one comes with seven ports: 3 USB ports, 1 HDMI port, a USC type C power charging port and two SD card slots with one being a microSD slot. This means you can connect all sorts of devices from smartphones to laptops easily. The product comes in a nice package with a travel pouch, the hub, a guide and an 18 month warranty. This is a great device for home, office and travel use.
Bridge – Overview
Another essential device that is used over large scale networking is the bridge. It is a small device that allows two different LANs on the same protocol to communicate. In addition, it is also used to break down and fragment large network packets into smaller ones. A bridge works by retrieving the destination address from a received network frame. It uses the destination address to check and find the location where the frame should be sent. Because of this, different connected devices or line have their own collision domains. Today, there are wireless bridges that are used in homes and smaller setups. They work similarly to the wired bridges and do a fantastic job in boosting the network to dead zones in the house. There are three types of bridges: transparent bridge, Source Route Bridge and Translational Bridge.
Edimax EW-7438RPn Mini N300 Universal Wireless
- Range Extender boosts wireless signal to "Wireless Dead Zone" flawlessly
- Easy iQ Setup by iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, or any tablets, No CD required
The Edimax Bridge is a wireless bridge that is very cheap yet offers decent performance. Released in early 2016, this product has amazing wireless range and fast speeds of up to 300 Mbps. It is also quite versatile and is popularly known as a three in one bridge. What this means is that it is acts as a Wi-Fi extender, an access point ad a bridge. When it comes to design, this device is built for home and office use. It is while and cube shaped and easily fits into interior decors. It also comes with a superb mobile app for installation and easy management of the network and device. The only issues with this device may be the difficulty in disabling the WPS PIN. Otherwise, this is a wonderful device that won’t hurt you wallet and will do a great job in eliminating dead zones
D-Link DAP-1520 Wireless Bridge
- Extend the coverage of your home's existing wireless network
- Up to 750 Mbps (300 Mbps 2.4GHz and 433 Mbps 5GHz)
One of the most popular wireless bridges today is the D Link DAP 1520. This device is a top tier bridge with one of the best performances you will find today. The product boasts speed of up to 750 Mbps which is quite fast for a home device. This means it can be used in larger setups such as medium sized offices and workplaces. The small rectangular device also acts as a signal extender meaning you can use it to eliminate dead zones in the house. Furthermore, the D Link DAP is mid-range priced and costs less than fifty bucks. It is hard to go wrong with this bridge because of its high speed and superior range. When it comes to design, it has some of the best there is fit for home and office decors.
Model |
Anker USB C Hub |
Edimax EW-7438RPn |
Ports |
7 |
1 |
Speed |
5 Gbps |
300 Mbps |
Special features |
Access points |
Wi-Fi extender |
Color |
Space Grey |
White, black |
Availability |
Conclusion
Whether you need a hub or a bridge, you need one that fits all your needs. If you’re on a tight budget for instance, go for the Satechi Aluminum hub or the Edimax Bridge. If you want high speeds and want to eliminate dead zones, the D Link DAP bridge would be the best choice for you.
