What is Hub?
Simply put, Hub is a device that helps connect many PCs together.
Why is Hub used?
- The only purpose of the hub is to send data to other connected PCs. If data packets arrive at one port, it is forwarded to other ports.
- Earlier hubs were also called as bridges, because they send every packet they receive, without designing the traffic flow.
- Hub can be used for data sharing in a local network. All the computers connected to the network can choose and share all the files and folders they want, and since all are connected to one hub, every computer present has access to that data.
- Hubs are generally used in small networks.
How does Hub work?
When a device receives data packets, it determines whether it is the receiver. If it isn’t it simply ignores the packets.
But hubs are also known as Dumb devices because all they do is send packets. Hubs don’t analyze traffic neither they check the packets. They receive data packets, and they send it to other computers. That’s all they do. Nothing more, nothing less.
Incoming data packet :
If a message for Computer A comes on the hub, it is sent to computer A, computer B, computer C, computer D, computer E, and computer F. Computer A takes the message, whereas others ignore it.
When message arrives at an HUB
Outgoing Message :
When computer A sends a response to the hub, that response is sent to computer 2, computer 3 and computer 4 by the hub. and hub sends the response to the sender.
Response from Computer A
So in short whatever is going on in the hub is seen by everyone present. The intended recipient takes the message and others ignore it.
So there is a lot of traffic in the hub, and if not maintained carefully, it can be troublesome.