What is a network hub?

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What is a network hub?

A network hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple devices in a local area network (LAN). It operates at the physical layer of the OSI model and is responsible for receiving data packets from one device and broadcasting them to all other devices connected to the hub. In other words, a hub acts as a central point for data transmission, allowing devices to communicate with each other. However, it does not perform any intelligent routing or filtering of data, which means that all data packets are sent to all connected devices, even if they are not the intended recipients. This can lead to network congestion and reduced performance in larger networks. As a result, network hubs have become less common in modern networks, being replaced by more advanced devices such as switches and routers.