State the primary function of the device labeled "Hub" in the figure.
Answer (2)
A 'hub' in a computer network is a fundamental networking device used to connect multiple Ethernet devices, making them act as a single network segment. It operates in the data link layer of the OSI model.
Primary Function : The primary function of a hub is to receive data packets (or frames) from one connected device and broadcast, or transmit, those packets to all other connected devices. This allows for communication and data sharing between devices in the network.
How It Works : When a device sends data to the hub, the hub does not filter the data and sends copies of the data to all ports except the port of the incoming device. This means all devices connected will receive the packets, even if it's not the intended recipient. This method is simple but can lead to network inefficiencies as it can generate unnecessary traffic.
Use and Limitations : Hubs are straightforward and cost-effective, making them ideal for small, simple networks without heavy data traffic. However, they can lead to network congestion and are inefficient compared to more advanced devices like switches, which direct data only to its intended destination.
Hubs are less commonly used today, as technology has advanced to more efficient networking devices like switches and routers, which help reduce network congestion and improve data handling and security.
A hub connects multiple devices in a local area network by receiving data from one device and broadcasting it to all devices. While hubs are simple and cost-effective, they can cause network congestion because they send all data packets to all ports. Today, they are less common due to the more efficient devices like switches and routers that manage network traffic more effectively.
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