HUB, Router and Switch - Learn the differences with our easy guide!

When you need to get different network equipment such as computers, phones and printers to communicate together, hubs, routers and switches are the devices you use to connect them.

All three types of devices can theoretically perform many of the same functions, and it can be confusing because you may come across different names used for the same equipment.

What is the difference between a hub, switch and router? A hub broadcasts data to all devices, while a switch routes data efficiently. A router connects networks, manages traffic and often provides Wi-Fi. Hubs and switches are for wired connections.

In this post I will go into more depth about what the difference between the three devices is.

You may want to watch this short video where my colleague explains more about which switch you should choose.

Is there a difference between a hub, a switch and a router?

When it comes to setting up computer networks, it is crucial to understand the roles and functionality of the various devices in order to create an efficient and secure network.

Hubs, switches and routers are some of the basic components of a network, and they each serve their purpose in managing data transmissions.

Although the three devices may appear similar at first glance, their functionalities, operation and impact on network performance are significantly different.

What is a Network Hub?

A network hub and a switch are almost identical, and most hubs today act as switches. All switches can act as hubs, but not all hubs have the switch function.

A hub is typically used in LAN networks (Local Area Network) and has several ports. When a data packet arrives at a port, it is copied to the other ports so that all devices on the LAN can see all packets. The hub acts as a common connection point for the devices in the network.

In a corporate environment, a hub often acts as the central device to which all computers in the network are connected. But while a switch can identify the individual computers on the network, the hub acts more like a simple central device that sends the same data to all computers on the network.

Therefore, all computers in the network can receive data, and it is up to them to decide whether they want to accept the reception.

What is a Network Switch?

A network switch, like a hub, is capable of handling data, but it differs by having knowledge of the specific addresses to which certain data must be sent.

It is able to determine which computer data is intended for. The name "switch" indicates this function - namely switching between signals to individual computers.

A hub can also be considered a "dumb" device, as it simply relays received data to all connected devices.

In contrast, a switch is "semi-intelligent" in that it understands which devices are connected to which types of connections.

What is a Router?

A router acts as the device that shares your Internet connection so that multiple devices can be on the same network.

While it is possible to be on a network without access to the Internet, the router will typically connect the network to the Internet, after which the signal is distributed by a switch or a hub in the setup.

The Internet connection can come either from a cable or wirelessly from a transmission tower. A Wi-Fi router can receive the internet signal and create wireless internet in an area around the device.

A router is a small computer that manages network traffic. It usually establishes the connection between a local area network and the Internet, such as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), and/or ISP (Internet Service Provider) networks.

In other words, the router acts as the electronic device that connects you to the world.

When you subscribe to an internet connection with your provider with a specific download and upload speed, it is the router that ensures that the connection meets the agreed requirements based on the signal that the provider sends.

The router is also responsible for all devices speaking the same language. When you enter a web address in the browser's address field, the router makes sure to understand this and sends you to the desired website.

Therefore, it can be said that the router is the most "intelligent" device in a network setup.

What is the difference between a Hub and a Switch?

A switch is more intelligent and selective about data transfer, while a hub simply retransmits data to all its ports. As a result, switches are more efficient and are generally used more in modern networks than hubs.

A switch can connect multiple computers within a LAN network, while a hub simply connects multiple Ethernet devices together in a network. Because of its higher performance, a switch is also typically a slightly more expensive device.

What is the difference between a Switch and a Router?

The router operates at an even higher level than a switch. The router differs significantly from the switch as its tasks are different.

It is not only the ports that are in focus, but also its ability to distribute the data packets to other networks.

The router is also more sophisticated and acts as an intermediate station between several types of networks.

A switch works at the data link layer and connects devices in the same local network, while a router works at the network layer and connects different networks using IP addresses.

A switch is only used for wired networks, while a router can also connect to the wireless network.

Since a router thus has more functions than a switch (and a hub), the price is typically also higher.

What is the difference between a Hub and a Router?

As previously mentioned, a hub contains only the basic functions of a switch, which makes the difference between a hub and a router even more significant.

A hub connects devices in the same local area network (LAN), whereas a router connects across different networks, such as from LAN to WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet.

A hub transmits data to all ports, while a router makes intelligent decisions about how and where to send data between different networks.

A router is therefore more advanced and provides greater control and security over data transmission in a network compared to a hub.

Which device should I buy?

You should assess both your current needs and expected future requirements when choosing network equipment. Whichever device you choose for your network, you need to make sure it can fulfill all the necessary functions.

When it comes to performance, a wireless router is recommended as it allows connecting different devices to the network. A switch is also an excellent solution and is available with multiple ports at a relatively low cost and with high performance.

It should be noted that all switches also act as hubs, so you will typically find the devices in the same categories.

Ultimately, your needs and the number of devices to be connected will determine which device you should choose, how many ports it should have, and not least, at what speed it can transfer data.

If you plan to use your network switch in connection with an external network, such as the Internet, be aware that its speed can never exceed that provided by your ISP.