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Hub vs. Switch
- What's the difference? |
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A hub works like a telephone party
line. Only one computer can talk at a time. Here, the first
computer prints to the printer, but the message is broadcast
to all of the computers on the network. |
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| A switch works more like our modern
phone system. Computers can talk with each other on private
connections so multiple conversations can be carried on at the
same time. Here, the first computer and printer make a private
connection during printing, while the fourth computer transfers
a file to the fifth computer over another connection |
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| Shared
Ethernet Hub |
Switch
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| Total network bandwidth is
limited to the speed of the hub, i.e. a 10Base-T hub provides
10Mb bandwidth max, no matter how many ports it has. |
Total network bandwidth is
determined by the number of ports on the switch. i.e.
an 8 port 100Mb switch can support up to 800Mb/s bandwidth.
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| Supports half duplex communications
limiting the connection speed to that of the port, i.e.
10Mb port provides a 10Mb link. |
Supports full duplex communications.
This allows devices to both transmit and receive data
at the same time, thereby doubling traffic capacity and
avoiding packet collisions. |
| Hop count rules limit the number
of hubs that can be interconnected between two computers.
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Switch allows users to greatly
expand networks; there are no limits to the number of
switches that can be interconnected between two computers.
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| Shared hub is less expensive
per port. |
Switch's increased performance
is worth the slightly higher price. |
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| Source: www.about.com.telecom |
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