What’s difference between Hubs and Switches? Maybe this question arises in the minds of some people. It is true that these two network devices have almost the same function but there are still differences, let’s look at the following explanation.
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Table of Contents
Definition of hubs and switches
Before discussing the differences between hubs and switches, we need to discuss the meaning of each of the following network devices:
Meaning of hubs
The definition of a hub is a device capable of sending various data on the network to an available hub port.
Usually hub devices have between 4 to 16 ports depending on their needs. If one hub port is used, the other ports will send similar data automatically.
There are two types of hubs, namely passive hubs and active hubs. What is the difference? Active hubs can be used as a repeater alias data router from amplified transmissions. Meanwhile, passive hubs have the function of dividing and separating incoming signals to network transmissions.
meaning of switches
Meanwhile, these switch devices are equally able to share signals between several devices in a network but are also able to manage each port based on the MAC address.
The switches themselves are also divided into two, namely managed switches and unmanaged switches. This type of unmanaged switch is a switch that does not need to set configurations so it is very suitable for networks with areas that are not too large.
Meanwhile, managed switches are switches that have the ability to configure each port, such as speed, host, and so on. This type of switch is very suitable for networks with large and complex coverage areas such as virtual LANs or VLANs.
Apart from the two switches, there is also a new switch, namely the smart manage switch, which is a combination of the two types of switches with easy use and complete features.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hubs and Switches
Before knowing the differences between hubs and switches, we need to know the advantages and disadvantages of each of these network devices.
Hubs advantages and disadvantages
The first is the advantages and disadvantages of the hub:
Advantages of Hubs
- Have shared internet scalability capability (uplink)
- Provides backwards compatibility.
- Can monitor network.
- Can help to extend the total network distance.
Lack of Hubs
Has no special bandwidth settings.
Half duplex.
- Lacks features to reduce network traffic.
- Unable to manage the best path in the network.
- Device differentiation can occur.
The advantages and disadvantages of switches
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of each switch:
Switch Advantage
- Can help reduce the number of broadcast domains.
- Supports VLAN network which can help in logical segmentation of ports.
- Switches can use the CAM table for port to MAC mapping.
Lack of Switches
- Features are not as complete as routers in limiting broadcasts.
- Connecting between VLANs requires creating routes, but currently there are many multilayer switches on the market.
- Requires proper configuration to handle multicast packets.
- Can reduce broadcast domains
What are the differences between hubs and switches
It’s time for us to discuss the differences between hubs and switches, consider the following explanation:
Types of Hubs and Switches
In discussing the differences between hubs and switches, the first is the type, each device has its own type.
Hub types
Active Hub is a self-powered type of hub, this type of hub can also be upgraded, cleaned, and relays signals along with the network. This type of hub also acts as a repeater and cable center. They are also used as extensions for two or more nodes.
Passive hub is a type of hub that requires power from the active hub and cables from the nodes. Passive hubs don’t clean and boost the signal to the network, then they can’t be used as repeaters.
Types of Switches
Manageable Switch, this switch has a console port and IP address that can be configured as needed.
Unmanageable Switch, a type of switch that does not need to use configuration in its use. So it can’t configure the IP address because it doesn’t have a console port.
Hub and Switch feature
The differences between hubs and switches can be seen from some of the features provided by these devices.
Hubs feature
- Broadcast and bandwidth go together.
- has 1 broadcast domain and 1 collision domain.
- Runs on the physical layer of the OSI model.
- Unable to create VLAN.
- Provides support for half-duplex transmission mode.
- Has only one broadcast domain
- Does not have a spanning tree protocol feature.
- Frequent packet collisions on the hub.
Switch feature
- The switch has a layer 2 data link layer.
- Runs with fixed bandwidth.
- Has a structured MAC address table.
- Can create virtual LANs.
- Can act as a multi-port bridge.
- Has a number of ports from 24 to 48 ports.
- Can support half duplex and full duplex mode.
Application of Hubs and Switches
The next difference between hubs and switches is their application, including:
Hub Application
- Hubs can be used as connectivity within an organization.
- Suitable for use on small home networks.
- Can be used as a network monitor.
- Can make devices available by network.
Switch Deployment
- The switch is capable of managing the flow of data from across the network.
- Able to manage a large LAN network connected to a switch.
- Switches are also widely used in SOHO or small office / home office applications. SOHO can only use one switch to access
- various broadband services.
- The switch also acts as a physical connecting device in a network.
- The switch is also capable of sending data to any device in half duplex mode or full duplex mode.
7 differences between hubs and switches
In using switch devices and hubs properly. You can see some of the following differences between hubs and switches.
Works at Different OSI Layers
When paired with each other, these switches and hubs look the same physically. However, the most prominent difference between hubs and switches is at the OSI layer.
OSI stands for Open System Interconnection which is a reference model in the form of a conceptual framework that can be used as a benchmark for standard connections on computers, OSI itself has 7 different layers or levels.
Previously it was mentioned that the hub can only transmit data which works on the first OSI layer.
Meanwhile, the switch uses OSI layer 2, which means it can add a MAC address to a packet in the form of a data link.
Different Ways of Working
The OSI layer also has differences in terms of how it works. Hubs can only receive and transmit electrical signals on the connected carrier media.
Meanwhile, the switch has a more complex way of working. The switch uses the MAC address information on each connected device to be processed at the data link layer.
Reliability Level
So what’s the difference between a hub and a switch in terms of reliability? The answer, of course, is switches. In terms of usability and function, switches are superior to hubs, where switches are able to select devices via the connected MAC address.
However, the hub cannot do this, which if any data is received by the hub, it is immediately forwarded to all ports on the hub. This means that the hub itself does not select and choose the data packets it receives.
In conclusion if the hub can only send and receive data. Meanwhile, switches can pre-select and manage data packets and choose the destination device.
Data Transfer Speed
In terms of data transfer speed, it looks like a switch is much faster than a hub. This is because the switch pre-selects the received data packets and forwards them to the destination address so that the processor’s performance is not too heavy.
While the hub only receives and forwards it to all ports so that the processor workload will be heavier, the speed is much slower than the switch.
Setting System
The next difference between hubs and switches is a matter of control system. Yes switches are far superior to hubs.
However, the hub itself offers convenience in setting it up, in fact the hub itself cannot be adjusted at all, aka just plug and play without having to bother setting it up.
While your switch needs to be set up beforehand to use it, this applies only to managed and smart manage switches.
Settings on the switch include allowing and blocking devices connected to the switch itself.
The switch can also configure virtual LANs or VLANs if you want to divide it into two or more network segments.
Security System
In terms of security, the difference between hubs and switches is quite visible. Which hub itself does not have a data checking system to be sent so that the data received will be forwarded intact.
In contrast to a switch that checks the received data before it is sent to the destination computer, so there is a possibility that there is incomplete data when receiving it. This is also to ensure every data is safe before it is sent to the destination computer.
Price differences
You are confused to buy the right switch or hub? Before that you also need to know the difference between hubs and switches in terms of price.
Yes, it is undeniable that switches with more complete features will be more expensive than hubs.
For the price of the hub itself, you can find it for just under 100 thousand, although there are several hub brands that offer prices of more than 200 thousand.
Meanwhile, switches usually have a much more expensive price than hubs, namely hundreds of thousands of rupiah to millions of rupiah, depending on the brand and type.
Complete information about the differences between hubs and switches can be found at NetData
That’s information about the differences between hubs and switches that hopefully can help you choose and buy which device is right for your needs.
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