The H.A.C.K.E.R. Project

In the world of networking, hubs and switches are two of the basic pieces of hardware that you should know. Both of these devices perform similar functions: they help to connect computers together to form networks. Without these (and similar/related) devices, it would be much harder to send data from one device to another. But what exactly is a hub or a switch, and what is the difference between the two devices?

What is a Hub?

Hubs are “simple networking devices with an input Ethernet port that connects to a router and multiple output ports for devices to connect” (Coursera). Each device that is connected to a hub can transmit data to and receive data from other devices connected to the hub. If the hub is connected to a router and has Internet connection, data can also be sent and received across the Internet.

Whenever a hub receives data that needs to go to a device, the hub “broadcast the data to all connected devices” (Coursera). Every device that is connected to the hub will receive the information, regardless if they are the intended recipient. As a result, hubs are often “referred to as repeaters or concentrators” since they repeat the data that is sent to all of the devices they connect to (Lenovo). While this does create “an efficient system for sharing data between users”, it also carries cybersecurity concerns (Lenovo). Since the data sent across a hub is forwarded to all of the connected devices, the other devices on the hub could be collecting the traffic not meant for them. This is especially worrisome if the data is meant to be confidential.

Furthermore, devices connected to a hub utilize a shared bandwidth, as described by Lenovo below:

In a hub network, all devices share bandwidth with each other, meaning that all resources are available to any connected device at any time. However, this also means that there’s less overall capacity on the network as each node has to compete for access to the same resources. As such, it’s important to ensure that your network has sufficient capacity in order to ensure maximum performance.

Lenovo

Think of bandwidth like the lanes of a highway. Imagine a highway with only one lane. When there are only a few cars on the highway, traffic will move rather quickly, but if there are multiple cars on the highway, traffic can slow down to a crawl. This is what can happen with hub devices: network traffic can become slow since there is only one lane for it to travel on. As a result, hubs are “better suited for smaller networks since larger ones can quickly become overcrowded and slow down overall performance” (Lenovo).

While this detriment may make a hub seem useless compared to a switch, a hub is still “a useful, inexpensive solution for … small environments with low network traffic” (Coursera). If there are only a few devices that need to be connected at a given time, then it may be more cost-effective to purchase and install a hub rather than a switch. Similarly, “hub networks can be beneficial in situations where multiple users need simultaneous access to shared resources, such as printers or file servers” (Lenovo).

Generally speaking, there are two types of hubs:

• “Active hubs: Powered devices that amplify incoming signals to connected devices, extending the distance they can travel
• Passive hubs: Bring multiple devices into one network through its Ethernet ports, it does not amplify signals or require a power supply” (Coursera)

In the end, the type of hub that you would need for your network depends on how many and what type of devices are connected to it.

What is a Switch?

Switches are a more advanced way to connect devices together and form a network. A switch “directs data packets only to the devices that need them, reducing network congestion and improving overall efficiency” (Cisco). They do this by identifying “the media access control (MAC) address in the data packet header to transmit the data only to the single device that requested it” (Coursera).

Each device has its own unique MAC address that serves as its identifier. As a result, a switch can keep track of a given device’s MAC address, so whenever data comes in meant for that MAC, it can send it directly to the device. This is similar to how the postal system works; the sender writes the receiver’s address on the letter, and puts it in the mail. The mail carrier then reads the address, and delivers it to the mailbox of the recipient. Switches provide a more secure network, since data is not simply broadcast to all devices that are connected, but rather just to the intended target (Cisco). Imagine what it would be like if, when mailing a letter to a friend, everyone else received a duplicate copy of the letter!

Due to their ability to send data directly to the recipient and increased security they provide, many have replaced their hubs with switches (Coursera). Not only that, but many switches have the capability to “provide increased bandwidth by allowing multiple devices to communicate simultaneously” (Cisco). Think back to the highway example from earlier. Imagine that we now have an eight-lane highway. A lot more traffic can fit on eight lanes than on one!

There are a variety of switches available, each of which can provide their own benefits and features. However, as noted by Coursera, “most switches do these core functions:

• Control which Ethernet ports are active on the switch
• Manage whether a port will run at half or full duplex
• Monitor network traffic and the status of the connection
• Configure quality of service (QoS) for connected devices, which gives priority to high-performance network activity.”

Overall, it is important to consider your specific needs and budget if you decide to purchase a switch for your network.

Resources & Further Reading

Cisco. “Different Types of Network Switches.” Cisco, Mar. 2025, www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/topics/small-business/what-are-the-different-types-of-network-switches.html.

Coursera. “Hub vs. Switch: What’s the Difference?” Coursera, 29 Nov. 2023, www.coursera.org/articles/hub-vs-switch.

Lenovo. “Hub: What Is a Hub | How Hub Network Works | Lenovo US.” Www.lenovo.com, www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/what-is-a-hub/.