Hubs

Hubs are the simplest network devices, and their simplicity is reflected in their low cost. Small hubs with four or five ports (often referred to as workgroup hubs) cost less than $50; with the requisite cables, they provide everything needed to create a small network. Hubs with more ports are available for networks that require greater capacity. Figure 3.1 shows an example of a workgroup hub, and Figure 3.2 shows an example of the type of hub you might see on a corporate network.

Figure 3.1. A workgroup hub.

Figure 3.2. A high-capacity, or high-density, hub.

Computers connect to a hub via a length of twisted-pair cabling. In addition to ports ...

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