Networking Device and Protocols
A network protocol is a standardized set of rules governing how data is formatted, transmitted, received, and interpreted across devices on a network. Think of it as the “language” that ensures different computers can understand each other—even with different hardware or software—and guarantees interoperability
4. Limitations of Hubs
Single Collision Domain:
All devices share the same bandwidth, leading to collisions when multiple devices transmit simultaneously, reducing efficiency.
No Intelligence:
Hubs lack the ability to filter or direct traffic to specific devices, unlike switches (which use MAC addresses).
Half-Duplex Only:
Cannot support full-duplex communication (simultaneous send/receive), limiting performance.
Scalability Issues:
Performance degrades as more devices are added due to increased collisions and bandwidth sharing.
Obsolete in Modern Networks:
Largely replaced by switches, which operate at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) and provide dedicated bandwidth per device, eliminating collisions.