Several technicians have the tendency to use the terms hub, switch, and router interchangeably, yet did you know that they have differences? The functions of such devices are different from each other, though there are times when they’re all integrated into a device.

• Hub Defined – Hub is basically a common connection point for the devices in a network. The hubs connect the segments of a LAN, which consists of different ports, so when the packet arrives at a port, it’s copied to some ports to that every segment of the LAN may see all packets.
• Router Defined – Routers forward data packets along the networks. These are connected to at least 2 networks, commonly 2 WANs or LANs or a LAN and its network of ISP. The routers are located at the gateways, which are the places where 2 or more networks connect. The routers use forwarding tables and headers to determine the best possible path to forward the packets. They use protocols when communicating with one another and configure the right route between any of the 2 hosts.
• Switch Defined – When it comes to a network, the switch is actually the device that forwards and filters packets between the LAN segments. Switches operate at the data link layer and, other times, the network layer of the OSI Reference Model and support packet protocol. The LANs that use switches in joining segments are known as switched LANs or switched Ethernet LANs if it’s Ethernet networks.

Differences between the Router, Hub, and Switch on a Network

Nowadays, most routers have become something of a Swiss Army knife, which combines the functionality and features of a router, hub, or switch into a unit. So conversations about such devices may be a little misleading, particularly to somebody new to computer networking. The functions of a switch, hub, and router are quite different from each other, even if, at times, they’re all integrated with a single device.

Switch and Hub Have the Same Roles

Every switch or hub serves as a central connection for all network equipment and handles frames, which are basically data types. The frames are the ones that carry your data. When the frame is received, it’s amplified and transmitted to the destination PC’s port. The main difference between these devices is in how the frames are delivered.

Routers Are Different Devices

The routers are different devices. Where the switch or hub is concerned with transmitting the frames, the job of the routers is to route the packets to some networks until the packet reaches its destination. One of the main features of packets is that these don’t only contain data, yet the destination address of where they are going. Typically, routers are connected to at least 2 networks, commonly 2 WANs and LANs. The routers are situated at gateways, where many networks connect. With the use of the headers, the routers will choose the path to forward the packets. The routers use protocols to communicate with one another and configure the route between any hosts. Contact Teletraders to get a quote to sell, recycle, donate, or buy a hub, router, or switch.