What Is a Hub in a Computer Network? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking 182 182 people found this article helpful
What Are Ethernet and Network Hubs?
Hubs are used to expand a wired network
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 24, 2022 Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section What Is the Speed of a Hub Passive Active and Intelligent Hubs How to Work With Ethernet Hubs When to Use an Ethernet Hub A hub is a small, rectangular, inexpensive device that joins multiple network-enabled devices. They're often made of plastic and receive power from an ordinary wall outlet. The purpose of a hub is to form a single network segment on which all devices can communicate directly with each other. Until the early 2000s, Ethernet hubs were widely used for home networking due to their simplicity and low cost. While broadband routers have replaced them in homes, hubs still serve a useful purpose. Ethernet hubs are different from smart hubs used to control smart gadgets. Also similarly named are USB hubs, which are basically power strips for USB devices. Maria Toutoudaki/Stockbyte/Getty Images What Is the Speed of a Hub
Ethernet hubs vary in their speed (network data rate, or bandwidth). Original Ethernet hubs were rated at just 10 Mbps, but modern ones have 100 Mbps support and usually offer both 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps capabilities (known as dual-speed or 10/100 hubs). The number of ports an Ethernet hub supports also varies. 4- and 5-port Ethernet hubs are most common in home networks, but 8- and 16-port hubs can be found in some home and small office environments. Hubs can be connected to each other — called daisy chaining — to expand the total number of devices a hub network can support. Older Ethernet hubs are relatively large in size and sometimes noisy because they contain built-in fans for cooling the unit. Modern hub devices are noiseless, much smaller, and designed for mobility. Ethernet hubs operate as Layer 1 devices in the OSI model. Passive Active and Intelligent Hubs
Three basic types of hubs exist: Passive hubs don't amplify the electrical signal of incoming packets before broadcasting them out to the network. Active hubs perform amplification, much like a repeater. Intelligent hubs add extra features to an active hub that are of particular importance to businesses. An intelligent hub is typically stackable, meaning that it's built in such a way that multiple units can be placed one on top of the other to conserve space. Intelligent Ethernet hubs often include remote management capabilities via SNMP and virtual LAN (VLAN) support. The term concentrator is sometimes used when referring to a passive hub, and multiport repeater can be used to explain an active hub. How to Work With Ethernet Hubs
To network a group of devices using an Ethernet hub, first connect an Ethernet cable into the unit, then connect the other end of the cable to a device's network interface card (NIC). All Ethernet hubs accept the RJ-45 connectors of standard Ethernet cables. To expand a network to accommodate more devices, Ethernet hubs can also be connected to each other, to switches, or to routers. When to Use an Ethernet Hub
A hub can be useful for temporarily replacing a broken network switch or to expand a network. However, hubs should only be used if performance isn't a critical factor on the network. Hubs are different from switches and routers in that all the data packets that arrive at the hub are transferred to every single port regardless of which port the originating device is using. The reason is that a hub, unlike a router or switch, doesn't know which device requested the data. The network as a whole can experience performance degradation as a result. Although hubs have comparable functionality, nearly all mainstream Ethernet network equipment used today employs network switches instead, due to their performance benefits. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect Two Home Computers Through a Network What Is an Uplink Port in Computer Networking? Ethernet Cables, How They Work and How to Choose the Right One How Are 4G and 5G Different? What Is a Switch? Computer Networking Wired vs. Wireless Networking How to Connect Two Routers on a Home Network YouTube TV Not Working? Here's How To Fix It Wireless Media Hubs for Personal Networks The 7 Best Powerline Network Adapters, Tested by Lifewire The Differences Between Routers, Switches, and Hubs What Is an Ethernet Port? Network Interface Cards Explained How to Connect an iPad to a Wired Ethernet Internet Port 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router DSL vs. Cable Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies