About Computer Network Hubs

Function

Cat5 Cable
Network hubs act as signal splitters, accepting signals through their input port and then sending the signals off to their output ports. Hubs can regenerate weak signals prior to sending them to the output lines. They not only act as network interface, but also can provide useful features such as synchronizing data communications. In bigger network topologies, they interconnect with each other to transfer the signals between each hub to the intended destination within the network.

Network Hub's LED
A network hub has an input port and output port/s. There can be multiple output ports in a single hub. Depending on the size of the network, you can get a 4-port hub for smaller network such as in home networking, or you can get up to an 80-port hub or higher for bigger multiuser environment. Connect an Ethernet cable (CAT5, twisted pair) into the unit, then connect the other end of the cable to each device's (computer, printer, network fax machine or game console) network interface card (NIC). Network hubs accept the RJ-45 connectors of standard Ethernet cables. They have a LED (Light Emitting Diode) display to show connection status--green light for good connections, yellow or orange for weak connections and solid red for no connections or dead signals. They offer speeds from 10 Mbs to 100 Mbs and some in gigabytes. Some network hubs can offer multiple choices of speeds such as those referred to as dual speeds or 10/100.

Linksys Small Scale Network Hub
Passive hubs function only as interfaces within the network topology. They do not help in enhancing or improving the signals they pass through the network. Passive hubs simply receive signals on their input ports and then broadcast them through their output ports as they come. Active hubs, on the other hand, provide active participation in the network. Aside from acting as an interface, they also participate in the data communication within the topology such as storing signals received through the input ports before forwarding them. This feature allows the hub to monitor the data it is forwarding. They can also help prioritize transmissions of data, synchronize data communication by re-transmitting the packets to the intended recipient and adjusting the transmissions of the packets to compensate timing. Some active hubs also help improve signals before forwarding them to other connections, making troubleshooting of LAN (Local Area Network) problems easier.

Intelligent hubs provide additional features to everything that the active hubs do. They help manage the network resources effectively and efficiently by improving the performance of the network. They can pinpoint the exact location of the problem and help identify a way to solve it without letting the problem degrade its performance. Intelligent hubs are very adaptable to different technologies without any need to change their configuration

Multiple Hubs for Bigger Networks
Before buying a network hub, determine first how much equipment you currently own and how much more you would need in the future. Some smaller companies buy smaller hubs only to replace them with bigger hubs when their company grows. It is important to project future growth when setting up the network in order to avoid bigger expenses in the future. You can add hubs for growth; however, additional hubs may only slow down transmissions due to multiple network hops as opposed to just getting a bigger hub with only one hop, thereby speeding up the transmissions.

Racked Network Hubs
Since hacking or network intrusions are prevalent, ensure that your network is secure by adding intrusion detections as well as firewalls. Configure your set up to allow only connections from certain ports to restrict the connections into your LAN. Another safety precaution is to connect your hubs to a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) so that should there be any power failure, your network hub can still function. Make sure to anchor the hubs using screws on a stable rack in order to avoid toppling off.