Hubs and switches are essential networking devices used to connect multiple computers and devices within a network.
Hubs:
Operate at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model.
Broadcast data to all connected devices.
Less efficient as they do not filter traffic.
Suitable for small networks with minimal traffic.
Switches:
Operate at the data link layer (Layer 2) or sometimes Layer 3 (managed switches).
Forward data only to the intended recipient using MAC addresses.
More efficient and secure than hubs.
Essential for high-performance networks.
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** are widely preferred over hubs due to their ability to manage network traffic efficiently.