What is a Network Hub?

A network hub is the actual hardware or device that allows multiple computers to connect together forming a network. A network hub is a critical component for allowing more than one computer to connect with other computers. Network hubs are common in home offices and businesses.

Function

1. A hub is a network device where the information flow is accumulated and then distributed to various groups and users. It can be used between the users on the same Local Area Network (LAN) and users on different LAN. A hub is one of the most essential components in a network. Hubs are devices that serve as the central point where cables from all nodes come together.

Features

2. Computers are connected together for many purposes like sharing resources and workload, communication and reliability. A network hub is a device that is used to connect multiple Ethernet devices together. The devices being connected should be using twisted pair or fiber optic cables for connection. Once the devices are connected, they become a part of the network. A hub has multiple ports into which the many cables go. All the cables that go into the hub are interconnected.

Significance

3. The hub is a device that works at the physical layer of the OSI model. This is because it deals with the actual physical transmission: the way signals are converted and carried on through physical media. A hub also acts as a repeater. When being transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves, signals become weak with distance. A repeater hub will amplify and regenerate the signal for better quality and life. By using repeater hubs, the distance can be extended.

Size

4. Hubs are available in all shapes and sizes. There are hubs which simply pass on the signals from one node to another. These are called dumb hubs. Then there are smart hubs that come with some limited management capabilities also. There are also available some intelligent hubs. These hubs can support multiple LANs and topologies and can provide extensive management capabilities. These hubs can even house other module types such as routers and bridges.

Types

5. If you are using an Ethernet LAN but need to go farther than usual, just add a repeater to achieve the added distance. These types of hubs which do let the signal vanish are called active hubs. These are also called multi port repeaters. If they do not work as a repeater they are known as passive hubs.

Identification

6. Hubs generally have four to twenty four RJ-45 ports for twisted pair cabling and one or more uplink ports for connecting the hub to other hubs. Hubs have indicator lights to indicate the port link status and status of collisions.