Network Switches and Hubs

For growing wired and wireless office networks, having network switches and hubs is necessary for effectively distributing connection and sharing information within the system or on the internet. Acting as the central distributor and converging area for data all throughout the office network, both hubs and switches play a vital role in streamlining work and increasing productivity. However, most people don’t see clearly the difference between a network switch and a network hub.

A network hub usually connects local area networks or LAN. When packets of data arrive at a hub, it copies the packet to all connected LAN or computers so that it can see the same packet. The computers or LAN networks share the same bandwidth as with the others that are also connected through the hub.

On the other hand, a network switch filters and diverts the data packets towards the intended ports. Network switches keep MAC addresses of all devices that are connected to it; therefore it does not copy a packet nor rebroadcast it for the whole network. Rather, it will send the data packet to the exact port where it is meant to be sent.

PC Mall delivers a wide range of choices at great prices of high quality network switches and hubs from top class brands such as Cisco, HP, Brocade Communications, Entrasys Networks, Allied Telesyn and more.