With a hub, every port receives all network traffic. When a hub receives
a
packet, it has no clue where the recipient is plugged. So it simply rebroadcasts
the packet to all hosts plugged into the hub. The recipient "knows"
its own
IP address and responds to the packet, while all other devices on the
network
segment ignore it.
A switch, on the other hand, is smarter. A switch actually pays attention to
where each device is plugged. When a switch receives a packet, it knows exactly
where the intended recipient is and sends the packet to only that device.
This
security feature prevents hackers from intercepting all your network's
traffic
using a packet
sniffer.
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