Routers,+switches,+hubs

= Switch =

In networks, a device that filters and forwards packets between LAN segments. LANs that use switches to join segments are called // switched LANs // or, in the case of Ethernet networks,// switched Ethernet LANs. //

= Routers =

A router is a device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network. Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks connect, and are the critical device that keeps data flowing between networks and keeps the networks connected to the Internet.

When data is sent between locations on one network or from one network to a second network the data is always seen and directed to the correct location by the router. The router accomplishes this by using headers and forwarding tables to determine the best path for forwarding the data packets, and they also use protocols such as ICMP to communicate with each other and configure the best route between any two hosts.

Hub



A common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are commonly used to connect segment of a LAN. A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets. A // passive hub // serves simply as a conduit for the data, enabling it to go from one device (or segment) to another. So-called // intelligent hubs // include additional features that enables an administrator to monitor the traffic passing through the hub and to configure each port in the hub. Intelligent hubs are also called // manageable hubs. // A third type of hub, called a //switching hub//, actually reads the destination address of each packet and then forwards the packet to the correct port.

= Difference between Hub and Switch = = media type="youtube" key="Xl34PIt8rG0" height="281" width="350" =