Hub Vs Switch – What are their differences?

When it comes to home and enterprise networking, two of the most popular devices are the hub and switch. In the following article, we are going to see how they differ, compare them and provide detailed reviews of their top products.

The hub and switch are some of the oldest networking devices and are still being made and used today. They perform different functions and operate on separate layers of the OSI model. Being unintelligent networking devices, they do not perform any form of data processing and act secondary devices to complex networking devices such as routers.A hub performs the simple function of connecting multiple computers to one network. It acts as the common connection point for devices in a network. A switch on the other hand sends data packets to specified addresses and connects different devices together on one network.

What are the differences between a Huband Switch?

Devices	Switch	Hub
Ports	Multiport bridge (24 to 48)	Multiple ports
Form of data in transmission	Frame and Packet	Frames and electric signal
Transmission type	Unicast and Multicast	Unicast or multicast
Speed	1 Gbps or 10/100 Mbps	NA
Mode of transmission	Half duplex	Full or half duplex
Layer	Layer 2 (data link layer)	Physical layer
Type of address	MAC address	MAC address
Product	Check price	Check price

Hub vs. Switch – How do these devices compare?

Types

There are various types of hubs and switches each different from how the other works. First off, we have two types of hubs: active and passive hub. Active hub has its own power supply and works as a repeater and a wiring center. They can also be used as extenders for two or more network nodes. Passive hubs on the other hand use power from the active hub and can’t really be used as extenders. Secondly, we have two types of switches: manageable and unmanageable switches. A manageable switch as one console port and an IP address that can be easily configured. Unmanageable switches lack a console port and an IP address. Manageable switches and active hubs are better as they offer versatility in terms of usability.

Functionality and use

A lot of people confuse the two devices because of how similar they are in functionality. They are both hardware based devices with unintelligent capabilities. A switch on the other hand is more hardware based. It is used to connect multiple computers and devices within one Local Area Network. Switches cannot share an internet connection or communicate with more than one network. Because of this, when you use a switch, there has to be a dedicated computer acting as a gateway that connects to the internet. A switch also filters and forwards data packets between the same LAN segments. A hub on the other hand somewhat a toned down version of a switch since it performs the basic functions of a switch. Hubs are passive devices with no software that act as a common connection point for multiple devices in a network. It is a dumb device. It also has multiple ports that allow connection in as many devices as possible.

Supported devices

A hub supports any device provided they are connected to it via cable. The same applies to switches. Anything from a PC, console, server or laptop can be connected to a switch. Compared to other networking devices such as router; routers support a wider range of devices due to their wireless connectivity support. They can be connected to wireless smartphones to other routers through cable. Routers are generally more versatile than the rest of the devices

Pricing

Overall, switches are more expensive than hubs. The reason for this is that switches are more intelligent, perform more tasks and have a much more complex build because of this. Although not by much, they will cost you more compared to getting a hub.

Ports and connectivity

Switches generally have more ports than hubs. They are also slightly larger to accommodate these ports. Different switches have different number of ports ranging from 4 to as much as 128 ports. On average, a switch as between 24 and 48 ports for wired connections. Hubs are smaller and feature less ports. A hub can have between 2 to 12 ports of different types from Ethernet to DSL connections. There are different types of ports on both devices from RJ45 Ethernet, USB, SFB, PoE and SFB ports for industrial switches and routers.

Hub vs. Switch – A comparison Overview

Hub

In enterprise setups, hubs are commonly used to send messages from one port to the other connected ports. A message sent by one computer is read by the rest of the computers but only the sender can respond. Put much simply, a hub connects multiple computers to one network. It acts as the common connection point for devices in a network.It is important to note that hubs are unintelligent devices and operate on the physical layer of the networking OSI model. They are also much small than switches and feature between 2 and 12 ports. Hubs do not have operating systems and are simply hardware based devices that act as links between computers in one network. Lastly, hubs operate and transmit data in form of electric signals and bits. To better understand how they work, the following are top examples of hubs in the market today

Anker USB C Hub

One of the best purchases you can make today is the Anker USB hub. It is a small device that easily fits into your pockets or small pouch. As the name suggests, this hub is connected to the computer using USB connection. This heavily improves its versatility making it such a wonderful purchase. The hub has the seven ports for connections: USB C, HDMI, 3 standard USB 2.0 ports and 2 memory card SD slots. The Anker hub is the perfect choice if you travel a lot and need something small and mobile with as many ports as possible.

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LENTION USB-C Digital AV Multiport Hub

The Lention hub is a small and rectangular shaped device with a modern design and even more modern features. It comes with 5 main ports: a 4K HDMI port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, a card reader and a type C charging port as the name suggests. Furthermore, it features a high transfer speed of 1000 Mbps. For durability, the device is covered in an aluminum alloy casing that also gives it a striking look. But what we love most about this hub is the fact that it is offered in many colors. Otherwise, the device works well, provides high speed for 4K streaming in full resolution. It is easy to setup as it is a plug and play. And lastly, it is affordable and offers a lifetime support by the technical team.

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Switch

A switch is used to connect multiple devices into one central hub for them to be able to communicate. It is made to allow communication between different devices on the same network. You can connect anything from servers to PCs into the switch. Because of this, they come with many different type of ports. A switch uses MAC addresses to communicate with the connected devices. Furthermore, it sends data in form of packets where they are needs and therefore reducing the congestion of data on the network. This improves the security of the connected devices and also works to improve the general performance of the connected devices. It is important to note that a switch does not provide any routing capabilities. Switches also come with LED indicators for easy identification of ports and status indication. The following are two of the best switches you can use today.

Netgear GS308 Unmanaged Switch

The GS Netgear series has arguably the best switches in the market today. The GS308 is the bigger brother of the previously released GS108. It is an 8 port switch designed for both home use and enterprise use. Like all other unmanaged switches, this is easy to setup due to the plug and play feature. There is no software needed and all you have to do is plug it into your router or modem. Furthermore, it features very quiet operations. But what we loved most is the energy efficiency of the switch through the eco feature. Like all netgear products, the GS308 is tough and durable

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D Link DGS 1008G

We included this amazing switch to cater for the gamers. The D Link 1008G is a powerful little black switch with high data transfer rates. It comes with 8 gigabit ports and boasts one of the sleekest designs you will see on a switch. The product is easy to configure with its plug and play feature.

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Device	Anker USB C Hub	Netgear GS308 Unmanged Switch
Ports	6	8
Speed	100 Mbps	1 Gbps or 10/100 Mbps
Special features	4K Support, Auto Negotiation	Data filtering, Auto Negotiation
Availability	Check price	Check price

Conclusion

As you may have noticed, hubs and switches cannot work independently and have to be connected to a router to function. The best hubs and switches are easy to configure and connect. The Anker hub and Netgear GS308 are the top choices for anyone looking for a hub or switch repectively.