Networking Devices: Hub, Switch, and Router

Overview

• Discussion on the differences between hubs, switches, and routers.
• Understanding how each device handles data in a network.

Hub

• Purpose: Connects network devices within an internal network.
  • Multiple ports for Ethernet connections.
• Characteristics:
  • Not considered intelligent.
  • Does not filter data or direct it to specific destinations.
  • Rebroadcasts data to all connected devices, not just the intended recipient.
  • Causes security concerns and unnecessary network traffic, wasting bandwidth.

Switch

• Purpose: Similar to a hub but with intelligence to manage data traffic more efficiently.
  • Multiple ports for Ethernet connections.
• Characteristics:
  • Can learn and store MAC addresses of connected devices.
  • Directs data only to the intended destination port.
  • Reduces unnecessary network traffic.
• Comparison with Hub:
  • A switch is preferred over a hub due to its ability to minimize network congestion.

Local Area Networks (LANs)

• Hubs and switches are used to exchange data within a LAN (e.g., home or business networks).
• Not used for data exchange outside their network.
  • Do not read IP addresses needed for external network communication.

Router

• Purpose: Routes data from one network to another based on IP addresses.
• Functionality:
  • Reads IP addresses to determine the data packet's destination.
  • Acts as the gateway of a network.
  • Forwards data to other networks or receives data meant for its own network.
• Example:
  • Private network ('red network') with specific data packets accepted based on IP.
  • Different networks only exchange data within themselves unless data packets are routed between networks.

Data Exchange

• Within Networks: Data is exchanged internally using hubs or switches.
• Between Networks:
  • Data packets sent to other networks through routers.
  • Routers determine the path of data across different networks using IP addresses.

Conclusion

• Hubs and switches are tools for creating and managing internal networks.
• Routers are crucial for connecting different networks and managing external data routes.