Answer :
Final answer:
Hubs are affordable and compatible, but they broadcast to all devices, creating more traffic and collisions. Switches target specific devices, use bandwidth efficiently, and reduce collisions but are costlier and need more management. The choice depends on the required network size, performance, and security.
Explanation:
In the digital age, network components like hubs and switches are crucial for enabling efficient communication between computers. Hubs serve as simple connection points for devices in a network, broadcasting incoming data packets to all other ports. One advantage of hubs is that they are quite affordable and easy to use, which makes them suitable for small setups or simple networking requirements. They are also generally compatible with many network environments. However, hubs have significant disadvantages including the generation of more network traffic due to broadcasting to all devices, and a lack of ability to prevent network collisions, affecting overall performance.
Switches, on the other hand, are more advanced network devices that send data packets specifically to the intended device. This leads to a major advantage of efficient use of network bandwidth and reduced network collisions. Switches are great for creating multiple network segments, increasing the security and performance of a network. Nevertheless, they come at a higher cost compared to hubs and require more sophisticated management. For environments requiring significant data traffic handling and security, switches provide a more suitable and reliable network connection compared to hubs.
