5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hub | Drawbacks & Benefits of Hub

What is Hub ?

Hub is the central point of networking device that connects multiple hosting devices to a single network. It allows data to get transferred between themselves by functioning as a multiport repeater. For this purpose it uses either fiber optic cable or a twisted pair cable.
 

How does Hub work ?

Generally hub operates using layer-1 of OSI stack (Physical layer). Just like switches it also connects computers together. Al though hub facilitates network connection, from the side of technical aspects hubs contain some limitations. These areas needs to be considered before choosing to deploy a hub.

 
In this article, I will be mentioning about 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hub | Drawbacks & Benefits of Hub. Through this post, you will know the pros and cons of using Hubs.

Let's gets started,

 

Advantages of Hub

 
1. Connectivity

The primary function of hub is to allow clients to connect to a network so that they can share and have conversations. For this purpose, hubs uses network protocol analyzer.
 

2. Performance

Hub is known for having very less number of performance impacts on the network. This is because it operates using broadcast model which rarely affects the network.
 

3. Cost

Comparing to switches, hubs are really inexpensive. Basically due to its form of simplicity. Therefore, they can help you to save money. And also because of their mass production they are widely available in the market.
 

4. Device Support

Hubs can connect different types of medias all together with a central hub. Even if the media used to operate at different speeds they can be used to support them.
 

5. Area Coverage

Area coverage of a network is limited to certain distance. Hub extends the distance of the network such that communication is made easy.
 
 

 

Disadvantages of Hub

1. Collision Domain

Hub lacks the function of collision domain and retransmission of packets. In fact it increases more chances of collision in between domains.
 

2. Full Duplex Mode

Hubs cannot communicate in full duplex mode, it can only operate in half duplex mode. Half duplex mode in essence means that data can be transmitted only once at a given time. Therefore, hub needs to constantly switch its modes.
 

3. Network Architecture

Hubs cannot support networks that are large in size such as token ring. This is because hubs needs to share data among all the devices in the network. When more devices are added, eventually the network will become slow and unstable.
 

4. Network Traffic

Since all attachment are received in post, hubs cannot reduce network traffic. Hence, even for busy networks, hubs generate high amount of network traffic.
 

5. Bandwidth Wastage

Hubs cannot provide dedicated bandwidth for each device, it has to share them. Always when sending large informations all the bandwidths will be occupied by the 2 computers leaving other computers with slow network.