What is the difference between Hub and Layer 2 Switch?

A hub is a networking device that allows you to connect to multiple PCs to a single network, while a switch is a computing networking device that allows other devices to connect to a single computer network. A hub works on the physical layer of the OSI model while the switch works on the data link layer.

Hub is a passive device, while the switch is an active device. The hub uses a half-duplex cable while the switch uses a full-duplex cable. Hub uses electrical signal orbits while the switch uses frame and packet. There are two types of hubs; they are the active hub and passive hub.

The active hub has its power supply, while the passive hub collects power from the active hub while we have the manageable switch and the unmanageable switch. The manageable switch has a console port and IP address, while the unmanageable switch configuration cannot be made.

Hubs and switches are known to be very effective in making sure that computers can be interconnected in LAN devices. A hub is known to be a more simple device as compared to switch 2. The hub will not really inspect the information that is being passed on. Switch 2 would need to check the information that will be passed on before it will continue.

The bandwidth of the hub is going to be slower and will continue to degrade, the more people connect to it. Switch 2 will have the ability to hold more even if there are more people who will start to connect. There was a time when the only hub was used, but in time, it became obvious that only Layer 2 will be able to meet the demands of people who go online.