hub

Also see stackable hub.

In general, a hub is the central part of a wheel where the spokes come together. The term is familiar to frequent fliers who travel through airport "hubs" to make connecting flights from one point to another. In data communications, a hub is a place of convergence where data arrives from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more other directions. A hub usually includes a switch of some kind. (And a product that is called a "switch" could usually be considered a hub as well.) The distinction seems to be that the hub is the place where data comes together and the switch is what determines how and where data is forwarded from the place where data comes together. Regarded in its switching aspects, a hub can also include a router.

1) In describing network topologies, a hub topology consists of a backbone (main circuit) to which a number of outgoing lines can be attached ("dropped"), each providing one or more connection port for device to attach to. For Internet users not connected to a local area network, this is the general topology used by your access provider. Other common network topologies are the bus network and the ring network. (Either of these could possibly feed into a hub network, using a bridge.)

2) As a network product, a hub may include a group of modem cards for dial-in users, a gateway card for connections to a local area network (for example, an Ethernet or a Token Ring), and a connection to a line (the main line in this example).

Learn more about Network Administration

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

FILE EXTENSION AND FILE FORMAT LIST File Extension and File Format List: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

RELATED CONTENT Why is access denied to my Active Directory (AD) users and computers? Learn how to troubleshoot administrative domain access errors on your network in your Active Directory user list from our expert, Lindi Horton. What network loss testing tools/methods calculate dropped packets from a PC? Learn how to drop incoming packets on your network connection for testing purposes and the various emulators and methods available to do so, from our... Network user management Use this guide to learn how to manage problem users on your network -- from un-savvy Internet novices to toxic bosses -- to keep your network secure.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary availability  (SearchNetworking.com) 1) In a telephone circuit, availability is the ratio between the time during which the circuit is operational and elapsed time. 2) In a network... carrier detect  (SearchNetworking.com)