Updated March 30, 2023
Difference Between Ethernet Hub vs Switch
The following article provides an outline for Ethernet Hub vs Switch. Ethernet Hub is a device which acts as a common point for multiple systems to connect to that common point network via that single network route. On the other hand, Switch is exclusively a networking device which helps in connecting various systems altogether over a single computer network. An ethernet hub is used for connecting divisions or segments of LAN together, which again acts as a common point for storing the ports and then making the packets arrive at the same port via that common point within that route.
Head to Head Comparison Between Ethernet Hub vs Switch (Infographics)
Below are the top 12 differences between Ethernet Hub vs Switch:
Key Difference Between Ethernet Hub vs Switch
There are certain key differences which prevail in ethernet hub with comparison to switch:
- Ethernet hub has the capability to share bandwidth between the ports. Whereas switch with a dedicated bandwidth is shared with other sets of ports.
- The transmission mode used in the ethernet hub is half-duplex, whereas the switch, on the other hand, transmits data in bits in full-duplex.
- Spanning tree implementation is not at all supported by the Ethernet hub, whereas it is supported by the multiple spanning tree in case of a switch.
- The switch supports filtering only for frames so that they are present only in particularly dedicated devices, especially for forwarded frames with the transfer of packets and bits. On the other hand, there is no concept of filtering when it comes to ether hub for forwarding but forwards one frame to each port uniquely.
- An ethernet hub makes use of a single collision in the domain, whereas the switch supports for different ports and different domains for collision because of which ethernet hub experiences more different domain collision.
- In ethernet hub, the number of ports for connection is very less compared to switch, which can support many numbers of ports as compared to ethernet hub thus useful.
- The most important key difference between the ethernet hubs is it operates on physical layer whereas the switch operates on datalink layer of OSI.
- The ethernet hubs are still able to handle the port forwarding, but it cannot support the switching protocol while it is completely opposite in the case of the switch where the switch uses a switching loop which is useful in deploying and checking spanning tree protocol that helps in making the surrounding loop-free.
- The Ethernet hub is considered quite a passive hub when it comes to boosting the signal and establishes a connection with other devices using the generation of the signal significantly.
- In contrast, the switch acts as an active hub which provides a lot of boost for generation and amplification of signal for establishing any successful connection.
- There are certain multiple LAN cables that are connected to the hub with the help of some connector like RJ45, which acts as a mediator and has a connection with a range of wire approximately 100 m lengths. To form a network with other nodes and add nodes to expand the connection, it is required to increase the nodes in a hierarchical format where the hub acts as a linking device in half-duplex mode for transmission and further receiving the data. In terms of filtering of data, it happens quite easily without any provisioning or extra manipulation using packet filtering.
- In the case of a switch, data transmission happens by providing provisioning, but no extra filtering is required on top of it.
- Transmission type in case of Ethernet hub is broadcast-type, whereas the transmission type in case of the switch is unicast first, followed by multicast and then broadcast-type simultaneously.
- Communication between sender and receiver becomes streamline using much other protocol which is more sound and stable in ethernet hub but is not stable in case of switch depending on the type and need of the requirement. So both ethernet hub and switch have their own differences.
Ethernet Hub vs Switch Comparison Table
Let’s discuss the top comparison between Ethernet Hub vs Switch:
|
Ethernet Hub |
Switch |
| The physical layer plays an important role for the ethernet hub as it operates over this layer. | Data Link Layer plays an important role for Switch as it operates over this layer. |
| The mode of transmission in the Ethernet hub is considered as Half_duplex. | Mode of Transmission in Switch is considered as Full_Duplex. |
| Ethernet Hubs majorly emphasize on Layer 1 devices as per the OSI model. | Switch majorly emphasize on Layer 2 of the network layer to operate as per the OSI model. |
| It works by using electrical signals in orbit for transmission. | It works by transfer of packets and frames as part of the transmission. |
| Ethernet hub is not a smart device to be used for frequent and rapid transmission. | The switch is quite a smart device to be used for frequent and rapid transmission. |
| Ethernet hub as network device doesn’t have the capability to store MAC addresses. | Switches have the ability to get accessed by Integrated Chip of Specific Application, sometimes abbreviated as ASIC using Content Accessible memory. |
| The network should be connected with personal computers, which are possible using an ethernet hub. | Multiple devices are allowed to get connected with different ports. |
| The speed of the Ethernet hub is approximately up to 10 Mbps. | The speed of the switch is approximately up to 10/100 Mbps, 1Gbps. |
| Ethernet hub has a capability of flooding frame in a pattern where unicast, multicast, and broadcast. | The switch never has a specific pattern where it is compulsory to follow the pattern that it has to forst broadcast, then unicast, and then multicast as needed. |
| Ethernet hub is quite passive in nature. | On the other hand, Switch is quite rapid and active in nature. |
| Ethernet hub does not use any kind of software. | The switch uses software on an administrative basis which is used for many manipulations. |
| Ethernet hub does not support for spanning trees. | The switch supports for multiple spanning tree |
Conclusion
Ethernet hub and switch are the two components of networking and its connection which is used in some or the other way for establishing communication. Therefore, both ethernet hub and switch have their own significance in terms of usage and requirement when it comes to implementation with its set of protocols as mentioned in comparisons and key differences.
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