Difference between Hub and Modem

We have complimentary equipment like hubs and modems in most modern residences, with two or more computers and Internet connections, which normally don’t speak with but serve to maintain the network.

Hubs carry data efficiently to all ports; consequently, they are typically a repeater multi-port. Modems are physical devices that allow the Internet to be linked to a computer or other devices like a router or a switch. Modems transform or alter an analogue signal to digital data (1s and 0s), recognised by the computer, from a telephone or cable line.

The primary distinction between a hub and a modem is that the former is used whenever there is a need to connect two or more computers to a network. A modem is what enables us to connect to the internet, and a modem may be used as frequently as a single computer is. On the other hand, a hub is an interface between your computers and a modem since it enables your computers to talk with the modem and to connect to the Internet.

What is a Hub?

A hub is a type of virtual networking device that connects multiple personal computers or other types of network devices to one another in a network. A network hub, in contrast to a switch or router, does not have routing tables and does not have the intelligence to select the destination to which data should be transmitted rather than broadcasting all network traffic over each channel.

Although most hubs can identify relatively minor network faults such as collisions, broadcasting all data to a large number of ports creates congestion and poses a security concern. Network hubs were once the industry standard since their price was significantly lower than that of a switch or router.

A hub is required to link individual LAN segments together. When a packet reaches a single port, the hub will copy it and send it to all of the other ports storage locations. Even though most hubs are able to identify issues with the network, such as collisions, the fact that so much information is being sent to so many distinct ports may provide a security risk and cause bottlenecks. In the past, the network hub was used because it was more cost-effective than either a switch or a router.

Hubs serve as the principal link between all of the network equipment and are responsible for managing data in the form of frames. After the frame has been received and amplified, it is sent through the receiver and into the port of the computer that is being targeted. If it is only for one port, the frame will be sent through the hub and to all of the other ports.

What is a Modem?

modem, also known as a "modulator-demodulator," is a piece of hardware that enables a computer that is based on the Internet or another device, such as a router or switch, to connect to the Internet. It does this by converting or altering an analogue signal into the digital data consisting of 1s and 0s, which a computer is able to read from a link made by telephone or cable. In a similar manner, data stored digitally can be converted into an analogue signal and transmitted via traditional telephone lines from a computer or other device.

Because the first modems were "wired," users had to enter a telephone number before they could connect to an Internet service provider (ISP). Because the modems used the same rates as telephone calls, the maximum data transfer rate was restricted to 56 Kbps when using ordinary analogue telephone lines. In addition, computer modems required the full utilization of the local telephone line, which caused voice calls to interfere with the Internet connection.

The amount of data that can be transmitted in a specific amount of time is how the speed of a modem is determined. This time frame is measured in bits per second (bps). Another way for determining modem speed is to count the number of times a modem sends a new signal in a specific amount of time as the number of times the signal state changes in a particular amount of time. This is done as a unit of time. This approach is referred to as the symbol rate, and its unit of measurement is the baud unit (Bd).

Difference between Hub and Modem

The following table highlights the major differences between a Hub and a Modem −

Conclusion

In most contemporary homes with two or more computers and an internet connection, we make use of supplementary hardware such as hubs and modems, which we rarely interact with but which are necessary for the operation of the network. In order to establish a connection to the Internet, you will need a modem, whereas hubs are useful for establishing Local Area Networks.

Hubs are connected devices, although modems might come in wireless and wired varieties. The majority of modems are equipped with their own hubs. A modem is a device that acts as an interface between an analogue and digital network, while a hub is composed only of digital components. In the modern world, it is obligatory for a residence to either have a modem or a hub.

In addition, modems offer some protection for the gadgets in your home that are connected to the Internet without any intermediary. You cannot connect directly to the Internet if you only have a single router. It is necessary to connect a router to a modem since the modem is the only device that can carry your digital traffic over your Internet connection, regardless of the type of Internet connection you have.