Overview
A hub is a 'dumb' device that operates at the Physical Layer (Layer 1). When it receives a packet on one port, it broadcasts it to all other ports. This leads to high network congestion and security risks.
Why Hubs are Obsolete
- Collisions: Since all devices share the same bandwidth, collisions are frequent.
- Inefficiency: Every device receives every packet, even if it's not the intended recipient.
- Security: Any device connected to the hub can 'sniff' all traffic on the network.
Comparison
Hubs have been almost entirely replaced by Switches, which are much more efficient and secure.