Hubs, Routers and Switches

Some technicians have a tendency to use the terms routers, hubs and switches interchangeably. One moment they are talking about the switch. then they were discussing the router settings. Meanwhile, they only look at a box. Have you ever wondered what the difference between the Hub, Switch and Router? and functions of the three devices are all very different from one another, even if at the time they are integrated into one device.

Understanding Hub and Router Switch

HUB

A common connection terminal devices in the network. Hub is generally used to connect the LAN segments. hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, the port is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.

Switch

In the network, devices such as filters and packets between LAN segments. Switches operate at data link layer (layer 2) and sometimes the network layer (layer 3) of the OSI Reference Model and therefore support the protocol packets. LANs that use switches to join segments of the LAN is set to activate or, in the case of Ethernet networks, Ethernet LAN is enabled.

Router

A device used together with packet data network. Router to connect to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or the WAN or LAN and ISP networks. Usually becomes a gateway router, which two or more networks connect.

Routers use headers and forwarding tables to determine the best path to continue the packets, and they use protocols such as ICMP to communicate with each other and configure the best route between two hosts.

Difference

Now the router has become sort of a key tool in combining the features and functions of the router and switch / hub into a single unit. So the meaning of these devices can be a bit misleading - especially for those just learning the computer network.

Features routers, hubs and switches are very different from each other, even if all these tools are integrated into one device. We start with the hub and the switch because both devices have the same role in the network. Each serves as a central connection for all network equipment and handle data type known as frames. Frames carry your data. When a frame is received, it is amplified and then transmitted to the PC port of destination. The big difference between the two devices are presented frame method.

In a hub, a frame work to deliver or "broadcast (publish)" to each terminal. No matter that the frame is only used for one port. hub has no way to distinguish between the frame where the port should be sent. Pass along to make sure that each port will reach the goal. In this equipment a lot of traffic on the network and can cause poor response time or slow network.

In addition, the specifications 10/100Mbps hub must share bandwidth with each port. So when only one PC is used, will have access to the maximum bandwidth available. However, if some PC operating or in use on the network, the bandwidth will be distributed to all PCs, which will reduce performance.

A Switch, keep records of device MAC address to connect. With this information, a switch can identify system mounted on a terminal. So, when a frame is received, the software knows the exact port to send data, without significantly increasing network response time.

And, unlike a hub, with specifications 10/100Mbps switch will allocate the full amount for each port 10/100Mbps her. So regardless of the number of PCs transmitting, users will always have access to the maximum amount of bandwidth. This is for the reasons why the switch is considered to be a much better choice of hub.

Router is a device that is completely different to the equipment that has been described above. When a hub or switch associated with the transmission frame, the router function is to route packets to other packet networks until it finally reached its goal. One of the main features of a package is that not only contain data, but the destination address where it will go.

Routers usually connect to at least two networks, commonly two Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) or LAN and ISP networks. for example, a PC or workgroup and EarthLink. Routers are located at gateways, where two or more networks connect. Using headers and forwarding tables, routers determine the best path to forward packets. Routers use protocols such as ICMP to communicate with each other and configure the best route between two hosts.

Now, many services are integrated into some broadband router. A router typically has 4 to 8 port Ethernet switch (or hub) and Network Address Translator (NAT). In addition, it is usually already include Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, Domain Name Service (DNS) proxy server and firewall hardware to protect the LAN from malicious intrusions from the Internet.

All routers have a WAN port to connect to a DSL or cable modem for broadband internet connection and a switch that is integrated, allowing users to easily create a LAN system. This allows all PCs on the LAN to have access to Internet and Windows file sharing and printer services.

Some routers have a WAN port and a single LAN port and is designed to connect the existing LAN hub or switch to a WAN. Ethernet switches and hubs can be connected to a PC router with multiple ports to expand the LAN. Depending on the capabilities (kinds of available ports) of the router and switch, or hub, a connection between the router and switches / hubs may require straight-through or crossover (null-modem) cable. Some routers even have USB ports, and more generally, a wireless access point is transmitted from them.

Some routers are higher or business class routers will also incorporate a serial port to connect to an external dial-up modem, which is useful as a backup in case of primary broadband connection go down, and built in LAN printer server and printer port.

Besides the inherent protection features provided by the NAT, the router also has a built-in configuration, hardware based firewall. Firewall capabilities can range from very basic, and up to the advanced. Among the capabilities found on the main router is the router allows configuring TCP / UDP port for games, chat, and the like, on the LAN behind the firewall.

So, in short, a hub glues together an Ethernet network segment, the switch can connect multiple Ethernet segments more efficiently and a router can perform the functions of routing TCP / IP packets between multiple LAN and / or WAN, and many others of course.