Simulation · 01

Hub vs Switch

Both connect devices together but their working principles are very different!

Duration

2min

Level

L4

Type

Simulation

Progress

1/ 5

01Hub

Hub works at OSI Layer 1 (Physical).

How It Works?

code

       Hub
    /  |  \
  PC1 PC2 PC3

PC1 → Hub → Send to everyone (broadcast)

Features:

❌ No intelligence - sends incoming data to everyone
❌ Collisions occur
❌ Bandwidth is shared
❌ No security
✅ Cheap

Collision Domain:

All devices connected to a hub are in the same collision domain. If two devices send data at the same time, collision occurs!

02Switch

Switch works at OSI Layer 2 (Data Link).

How It Works?

code

       Switch (MAC Table)
    /    |    \
  PC1   PC2   PC3

PC1 → Switch → Send only to PC2 (unicast)

Features:

✅ Keeps MAC address table
✅ Sends only to destination port
✅ Each port is separate collision domain
✅ Full bandwidth
✅ More secure

MAC Address Table:

Port	MAC Address
1	AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:01
2	AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:02
3	AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:03

03Comparison

Feature	Hub	Switch
OSI Layer	Layer 1	Layer 2
Intelligent?	No	Yes
Data Sending	Broadcast	Unicast
Collision	Yes	No
Speed	Low	High
Security	Low	Medium
Price	Cheap	Medium

04Summary

Hub = "Dumb" device, sends to everyone
Switch = Smart device, sends only to target
Modern networks use switches, not hubs