Hub vs. Router – Which is better for connectivity?

The hub and router are great devices for establishing networks at home or at the office. The router enables you to create a LAN hence enabling multiple devices to access the internet. This article explores the key differences between a hub and router.

In some instances you will often find the words hub, router and switch been used interchangeably but the devices are very different. Of all the network devices the hub is the least intelligent; meaning it does not require any complicated software and hardware. It’s work is to act a connection point between your printers and computers. It will receive traffic and simply transmit from one port to another. The router is a sort of mini-computer because it has a processor, RAM and can make very important decisions when it comes to internet connectivity. The router is a device that receives internet signals from the modem and establishes a local area network in your home or office. This article further explores the key differences between these devices.

What are the differences between hub and router?

Hub vs. Router – How do they differ?

Technologies

The hub is what we call a passive device as it does not need any software to operate. Routers are like mini-computers with processors and RAM. One of the router technologies that you will often find whenever you are purchasing a unit is beamforming technology. In this instance the router is capable of focusing a wireless signal to a specific device hence boosting coverage. When electronic signals are been transmitted they are usually sent in all directions. If you want to make your signal strong you can either have multiple antennas broadcasting the signal or focus the signal to specific devices. The benefits of using beamforming technology is you have a stronger signal quality and strength.

The other technology used by routers is MU-MIMO.This is a term you will often find in most routers, it stands for Multi-user, multiple input, multiple output. With the technology, multiple users can access the router signals through simultaneous streaming. The technology improves connectivity among devices. It also supports some emerging technologies like 802.11ax circuitry.

Hardware specifications

The router operates just like a small computer. It has a processor, CPU and RAM. When it comes to hardware specifications the hub uses a physical layer; this ensures that they are labeled as layer 1 devices. Routers are referred to as layer 3 devices. Transmission of data from is different as the router uses a packet while the hub uses electrical signal or bits. Most of the hubs will come with 4 or 12 ports while routers will have 2/4/5/8. The hub will operate at speeds of 10Mbps while the router will do this on 1-100Mbps for the wireless and 100Mbps to 1Gbps for the wired connection. The hub uses the MAC address while the router uses IP address. You can also classify a hub as a non-intelligent device while a router is an intelligent unit.

Pricing

When it comes to pricing routers are definitely more expensive than the hub as they come with their own set of software and processors. The router is described as an intelligent device while the hub is less intelligent due to its lack of use of any software. Routers are now coming with more advanced technologies and features. Instead of purchasing a separate Ethernet switch you will find that most of the routers will come with two to four Ethernet ports. You will also have the routers also having 2.0 or 3.0 USB ports for connection of your printers and hard disks.

Routers also give you the ability to operate both wired and wireless connections. The price of routers will largely depend on the kind of device that you have. In the market we have superfast triband routers that are optimized for gaming. This means they will give priority for your gaming devices hence boosting connectivity and speeds. Routers been wireless devices at times come with limited range. This however, is not a serious shortcoming as you can always extend you internet connectivity through the use of extenders and nodes. It is prudent that you first come up with your network needs before deciding whether to purchase a router or hub. The hub is a very basic device hence its relatively low price while routers will come with fast dual core processors that make them a bit expensive.

Hub vs. router – A Comparison Overview

Hub – Overview

Hubs operate by one port receiving a message then transmitting it to the other ports. If you have four computers, the first computer will receive a message then send to the others hence all receive the message. Whenever, the first computer responds it is also goes out to the other ports in the hub. When the messages are sent, it is up to the computers to determine whether the message is for it or another. The hub does not determine the usefulness of the messages it sends.

Hubs are some of the basic units in a network. They lack intelligence on where to send messages received but can detect some network errors like collisions. The popularity of the hubs stems to their simplicity and affordability but this comes at the cost of security challenges.

The hub does not have an IP address. You can have a USB hub that allows all your USB devices to connect to the hub then the unit is connected to a single USB computer or laptop port. There three major types of hubs – passive hubs, active hubs and intelligent hub.

Passive hubs

As the name suggests passive hubs are quiescent and do not affect performance that much. However, they are capable of detecting faulty hardware or bugs. The hub receives messages and then sends them out as they are.

Active hubs

The active hubs goes further than passive hubs in that they will monitor the data before they send them out to the other connected devices. It will also prioritize the data the kind of data to send. It will also analyze the signal strength and if poor probably amplify it. Some may also fix damaged packets.

Intelligent hub

This hub seeks to overcome the shortcomings of the passive and active hub. The hub will detect any faulty devices in your network, diagnose some common problems and attempt to fix them. The hub also has a higher transmission rate than the rest. The benefit of this kind of hub is you can connect multiple hubs through a physical layer function.

Pros

• Helps extend network
• Affordable
• Does not need software to operate
• Easy to maintain and operate

Cons

Cannot connect different media types

Router – Overview

The router is more complex than the hub. Firstly, it operates as  a small computer that receives and distributes network traffic. The router has the capacity to connect various networks together – WANs, LANs or ISP networks. The router connects personal computers, devices and IoT units to the internet.

The router will allow you to connect your modem to a DSL, cable or fiber. It will also have network ports that gives more access to the internet. The router will also have a default gateway IP address. The router will act like a network switch and this enables various devices to communicate among each other like printers or external disks.

The router operates just like a normal computer with a processor, RAM and CPU. You can also add software like DD-WRT. Routers operation is through a network layer that enables them know the kind of traffic that is coming in and where to send it.

Modifications to the router can be done through mobile apps or web browser. Here you can set the router for parental control and restrict access to some websites. You can also determine the time frame from which your kids can access the net. Routers are nowadays equipped with some modern technologies like beamforming and MU-MIMO.

Pros

• Helps create LAN
• Helps connect multiple devices to the internet
• Runs a firewall
• Packet forwarding, filtering, switching
• Connects devices to VPN

Cons

Can be expensive to purchase

Conclusion

A hub and router are two critical devices that you need when establishing your own Local Area network (LAN). Both units operate differently. The router is described as a highly intelligent device due to its ability to understand and manipulate internet signals. It will receive these data from a modem and them transmit them to devices connected in its network. The router will also come with some innovative technologies like beamforming or MU-MIMO for enhanced internet connectivity.

FAQ

Can you combine a hub and router?

Most modern routers are nowadays a combination of various networking devices. You will have them having a modem, and Ethernet ports. Since the router is an intelligent device with processors it is capable of establishing and maintaining a network. However, should you have need more interconnectivity you can connect it to a switch and add more devices to your network.

How does a router transmit data?

Routers operate by transmitting data packets from one network to another. The router can either be connected to a ISP, LAN, or WAN. Since they connect two networks to each other, they are at times referred as gateways. To help a router find the best way to forward data they do come with forwarding tables and headers.