Network Hub
A network hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple Ethernet devices together, operating at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model. It broadcasts all incoming data packets to every port, regardless of the intended destination, which can lead to network congestion and security vulnerabilities. Hubs are largely obsolete in modern networks, having been replaced by more intelligent devices like switches.
Developers should learn about network hubs primarily for historical context and troubleshooting legacy systems, as they were common in early Ethernet networks. Understanding hubs helps in grasping fundamental networking concepts like collision domains and the evolution to switches, which is useful for network design or when dealing with outdated infrastructure in certain industrial or embedded environments.