HUB works on Physical layer where as SWITCH works on data link layer,HUB based n etworks are on one collision

domain where as in Switch based network switch divi des networks into multiple collision domains.Switch also maintains MAC address t ables. Hubs and Switches are two terms that are used interchangeably when referring to the network component that connects all the nodes in network. Even if most devi ces in existence today are switches, most people still call them hubs and get aw ay with it. The difference between the two types of devices is the overall speed that they can broadcast data across the network. Switches are able to transmit data a lot faster compared to hubs. Hubs are very simplistic devices that accept a single data packet then sends it out to all the computers that are connected to it. This means that only one data packet can pass through the hub at a time and all the data must wait for its tu rn. The overall bandwidth of the router is then shared by all the computers and that degrades the speed. This method often leads to a collision of data where a computer tries to send a packet of data to the hub while it is broadcasting. In order to detect and correct such collisions, most hubs employ added hardware tha t could slow down the total speed even more; an additional effect that it has is the limit on the number of elements you can have on your network. mSwitches do not broadcast the data to all the computers in the network. Wheneve r a computer wishes to connect to another computer, the internal circuitry of th e switch creates a bridge between the two; very comparable to old telephone oper ators who operate switchboards. This means that multiple paths can exist in the switch at the same time, making it possible for computers to send data at full s peed regardless of what other network elements are doing. Collisions do not happ en on switches, this lifts the speed and element limits seen on hubs. The reason why hubs gained early prominence was the high price of switches. But today, the prices of switches have gone down significantly that there is no long er any reason to choose a hub over a switch. Because of that, hubs have become o bsolete for all usual applications except for a couple of specialized niches. Summary: 1. Bandwidth is shared among network elements causing slowdown 2. Collisions don t happen in switches but are very common in hubs 3. The number of elements are severely limited for hubs compared to switches 4. Hubs were cheaper in the past but switch prices have come down significantly 5. Switches have replaced hubs in most modern day applications

Switch Hub As per the OSI model, network switches are classified as Data Link Layer devices , i.e. they operate at Layer 2. However, certain multi-layer switches can operat e at higher layers as well. As per the OSI model, a hub is a Physical Layer device, i.e. it operates at Layer 1. A switch is a more sophisticated network device and is more expensive than a hub . A hub is a very primitive device and is comparatively much cheaper. A switch is an intelligent device, it transmits the data packets from the source computer to only those network computers to which the data packets are original ly intended. A hub is a 'dumb' device to say the least. It broadcasts the dat a packets to each and every networked computer, and not just the target computer or set of computers to which the data packets were originally intended to be se nt. There is optimum utilization of network bandwidth in case of switches, and bandw idth wastage is minimal. Due to their broadcast mechanism of data transmi ssion, there is unnecessary wastage of network bandwidth which results in slow o peration and data transfer speeds. Switches are full-duplex devices, i.e. both, data transmission and reception can take place simultaneously. Hubs are half-duplex devices, i.e. both, data tr ansmission and reception cannot take place simultaneously.

Network security is much better with the use of a switch, as compared to a hub. Thanks to its broadcast mechanism, network security becomes a big issue and a lo ophole in the case of a hub. A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers togeth er within one local area network (LAN). Technically, network switches operate at layer two (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model. Network switches appear nearly identical to network hubs, but a switch generally contains more intelligence (and a slightly higher price tag) than a hub. Unlike hubs, network switches are capable of inspecting data packets as they are recei ved, determining the source and destination device of each packet, and forwardin g them appropriately. By delivering messages only to the connected device intend ed, a network switch conserves network bandwidth and offers generally better per formance than a hub.

Router Switch Basically, a router is used to connect computers belonging to one network with t hose belonging to another or other networks. Thus, a router connects two or more different networks. A switch on the other hand, connects different computers within one network. As per the OSI model, a router is a Network Layer device, i.e. it operates at La yer 3. Unless it is a multi-layer switch, a network switch operates at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer). Routers are much more sophisticated and intelligent network devices, as compared to switches. In comparison with routers, switches are less sophisticated and less intelligent. A router works on the principle of IP addresses. A switch works on the ba sis of MAC addresses. A router's inbuilt hardware makes use of routing algorithms to compute the best possible path for routing data packets across different computer networks. A switch does not perform any such activities. Routers have their own inbuilt operating systems and they need to be configured before use. Most switches do not require any prior configuration and are usu ally 'ready-to-use'.