Hubs, Switches, and Routers: What's the Difference
Unraveling the Network Trio: Hubs, Switches, and Routers - Essential Knowledge for computer networks interview questions In the realm of computer networks interview questions , a fundamental understanding of network devices is paramount. Among the most crucial are hubs, switches, and routers. While all three play a role in connecting devices, they function in distinctly different ways. Grasping these differences is not just essential for acing your technical interviews but also for building a solid foundation in networking concepts. Let's delve into the intricacies of each. The Humble Hub: A Broadcast Blunder (Generally Obsolete) Once a common sight in smaller networks, the hub operates at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model. Think of a hub as a multi-port repeater. When a data packet arrives at one of its ports, the hub blindly retransmits that same packet out of all other connected ports. How it Works: A hub doesn't possess any intelligence regarding the destina...