Switched HUB

Allows multiple devices to send information over the network at the same time without slowing down the communication process. A switched hub essentially isolates the two devices that are communicating, thereby providing each component on the network a separate connection at the maximum data transfer rate of the network.

Example: A switched HUB is similar to the use of cloverleafs on the highway, traffic does not need to stop if a change in direction needs to be made, plus traffic flows smoothly from point to point. 

A regular HUB does not provide each component with a separate connection point to the network but rather a shared connection point. By sharing a connection point the data transfer rate of the network is reduced when multiple devices try to communicate.

Example: A regular HUB is similar to the use of a 4 way intersection, the smaller the amount of traffic using the intersection the quicker a car can go through the intersection and reach its desired destination. The greater the traffic the longer it will take for a car to reach its desired destination. 

The switched hub installed as part of the workshop wiring project is a Cisco WS-C2950-24.