A network hub is a "dumb" multi-port repeater.
When HUB receives a packet on one port, it sends out a copy of that packet to all other ports.
In contrast, a network switch is capable of inspecting data packets as they are received, determining the source and destination device of every packet. A network switch forwards packets between the specified sender and receiver ports only.
A difference between the HUB and the Switch is illustrated on below pictures.
Let's assume we have four computers (A, B, C and D).
On the left picture we have a network with a HUB and on the right one we have the same network, but with a switch.
The first portion of data is sent from computer A to computer C (shown as red dots).
When HUB receives a packet from a computer A, it sends a copy of this packet to all other computers (B, C and D). Computers B and D will receive a data, which is not destined for them. Usually, they just ignore such network packets.
In contrast to a HUB, the Switch routes a data only between source and destination ports. So, in our example B and D will never receive a data which is not destined for them.
The second portion of data is sent from computer B to computer A (shown as green dots).
Again, the the HUB sends a copy of packets to all computers (A, C, D), but the switch sends them only to a destination computer (A).
HUB device is very helpful, when you need to record a voip call.
MiaRec uses packet sniffing technology for recording calls.
It sniffs all network packets, which are destined to the phone, decode them and save on disk.
Caution! Some of vendors mark their products as "HUBs", but in fact these devices are "Switches".
Before you purchase a HUB, please, check if it is mentioned in below list:
