Often users of computer networks do not see the difference between network equipment such as switches, hubs, etc. From them you can hear questions: “Switch? What is this? ”Or“ What is the difference between a hub and a hub? ”. In this article, we will look at the main network equipment and see how these devices differ from each other.
Switch What it is?
These devices are used to combine a variety of devices, such as computers, servers, network cameras, etc., connected to a common network with them. That is, the switch is a kind of intermediary that allows a variety of devices to communicate with each other.
Now let’s give the readers far from technology the concept of the following terms, perhaps for some it will be a revelation. A switch and a switch are the same device. The term “switch” is simply a translation from English of the word “switch”. The same applies to the terms “hub” and “hub” (hub).
Switch Benefits
These devices are characterized by high bandwidth, high speed data transfer, reliability and guarantee the accuracy of the transmitted data. The use of switches reduces the load on the entire computer network or its individual sections.
Here we are in a nutshell, almost without the use of complex technical terms, we considered such a concept as a switch, what it is and what it is for. Now, let's look at the difference between a switch and a hub. So let's get started.
The principle of operation of the hub
These devices connect all the cables of the computer network, they allow the passage of information from one node to another at a certain point in time. Moreover, the hub offers this data in turn to each node, until then, until they reach the desired destination. If it is necessary to send (or receive) information to several devices at once, the hub is not able to do this at the same time. He randomly selects the user and performs the transfer, then the next one and so on. This whole process is carried out on one bus, the throughput of which is only 100 Mbit / sec.
The principle of operation of the switch
Now we will analyze the switch: what is it, we already know, it remains only to find out how it works. This device is more “intelligent” than a hub. After being included in the computer network, the switch remembers the network addresses of each node. For this, it contains a memory block. As a result, the switch determines the device to which data must be transferred, and sends it immediately to the addressee, which significantly speeds up the network. The advantage of such a device is its simplicity, since in order for the network to work, you do not need to configure the switch. It is enough to connect the connectors - and that’s it, the network is ready to work. The bus throughput is 1 Gbit / sec, which exceeds the hub by 10 times. Due to such a high data transfer speed, an organized Internet through a switch will significantly exceed the same traffic, but distributed through, say, Wi-Fi.