Hub, switch, router¶

A hub is a central nodal point for star-shaped computer networks. The network is created by connecting several computers with a RJ-45 cable and the hub.

A switch is a hub that regulates communication in the network more specifically. In contrast to the hub, which sends a network request to all stations, the switch specifically establishes a connection between two stations. It also allows simultaneous transmission and reception at maximum speed, which improves the performance of the network.

A Wireless Access Point is nothing more than a wireless hub that communicates with the various receivers through radio (instead of the RJ-45 cable). If a wireless network is set up, the individual stations do not establish the wireless connections with each other, but all with the access point. The wireless access point also acts as a bridge between the wired and wireless stations.

A router, on the other hand, connects two independent networks. For home users, it is usually used as a link between the Internet and the local network. A router is only needed if you want to connect several computers to the Internet through the same connection. Put simply, the router remembers which computer requests which address on the Internet and then forwards the response back to the corresponding computer. On the Internet, a network connected through a router appears as just one computer.