A stand along hub as contrasted to a switch broadcasts all packets to all ports. Acting like a bus network.

A standalone hub is a box-like device with several ports, typically fewer than 12. These hubs can be connected to other standalone hubs either by linking them together with coaxial cable or by cascading them using twisted pair cables between ports on each hub1. Unlike routers or switches, which have more advanced features, standalone hubs primarily serve as simple network connectors. Here are some key points about standalone hubs:

Purpose: Standalone hubs are used to connect multiple devices within a local area network (LAN). They allow devices to communicate with each other by forwarding data packets between connected devices.

Ports: Standalone hubs come with a varying number of ports, usually fewer than 12. Each port represents a connection point for devices like computers, printers, or other networked equipment.

Functionality: Unlike switches, which are more intelligent and can make decisions about where to send data, hubs operate at the physical layer of the network. They broadcast incoming data to all connected devices, regardless of the destination. This means that all devices on the hub receive the same data, which can lead to network congestion.

Ethernet: Standalone hubs are commonly used in Ethernet networks. They allow devices to share the same network segment and communicate directly with each other. However, due to their limitations, hubs are less common today, as switches offer better performance and efficiency.

Limitations:

Collision Domain: All devices connected to a hub share the same collision domain. If two devices transmit data simultaneously, a collision occurs, leading to retransmissions and reduced network efficiency.

Bandwidth: Hubs do not provide any bandwidth management. The total available bandwidth is shared among all connected devices.

Broadcast Traffic: Broadcasts sent by one device are received by all devices on the hub, even if they are not the intended recipients. This can create unnecessary network traffic.

In summary, standalone hubs are basic network devices that connect devices within a LAN. However, due to their limitations, they have been largely replaced by switches, which offer better performance and more efficient data handling.