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A hub repeats a message to every connected device, a switch sends it toward the intended device on a local network, and a router moves packets between different networks. Think of a cricket team passing messages: a hub announces every message to the whole team, a switch directs it to the teammate who needs it, and a router chooses how it travels to another team or ground. The analogy is simplified; real switches use MAC address information within a local area network (LAN), while routers use IP address information to forward packets between networks.
How the cricket analogy maps to a network
Imagine players on one cricket team exchanging instructions. If every message is announced to everyone, that resembles a hub. If a message is directed to a particular teammate, that resembles a switch. If it must travel beyond the team—to another team or ground—the route resembles a router’s job.
In a real network, devices send data in frames and packets, not spoken messages. The analogy helps distinguish the devices’ roles, but it does not reproduce network protocols.
What a hub does: repeats traffic to every connected device
A basic hub receives traffic on one connection and repeats it to all the other connected devices. Like calling out an instruction to the whole cricket team, it does not direct the message only to its intended recipient. Devices can therefore receive traffic that was not meant for them. Cisco notes that this all-device forwarding can contribute to congestion and security concerns.
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- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
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- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
What a switch does: forwards traffic within a local network
A switch connects devices on a LAN, such as computers and printers in a home or office. It uses MAC address information—the identifying information associated with network interfaces—to forward traffic toward the destination device instead of sending every message to every connected device. Cisco’s explanations of switching and Ethernet describe this MAC-based forwarding.
For example, when a computer sends data to a printer on the same LAN, the switch helps direct that traffic toward the printer. A switch handles local connections; it does not, by itself, take the place of a router for connecting that LAN to another network such as the Internet.
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- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
What a router does: forwards packets between networks
A router connects networks and forwards packets based on destination IP information. A home router commonly connects devices on the local home network to the Internet. In the cricket analogy, it is the part that determines how a message gets beyond one team or ground to a different network.
For the underlying distinctions, see Cisco’s explanation of network switching, router definition and uses, and switch-versus-router comparison.
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- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
Hub, switch, and router compared
| Device | Main job | Traffic scope | Address information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub | Repeats received traffic to all connected devices | All devices connected to the hub | Does not direct traffic by destination address |
| Switch | Connects devices and forwards traffic toward its destination | Within a LAN | MAC address information |
| Router | Connects networks and forwards packets between them | Between networks | Destination IP information |
The key distinction is not simply how many ports a box has. It is what the device does with traffic and whether it is connecting devices on one LAN or forwarding packets between networks.
When to add a switch to a home network
If your router is already providing network access but you need more wired Ethernet connections for computers, printers, or other devices, you can connect an unmanaged Ethernet switch to the router. The switch extends the available wired connections; it does not replace the router. Cisco describes unmanaged switches as requiring no configuration for basic connectivity and explains using a switch connected to a router to add wired device connections.
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- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
An unmanaged switch suits basic plug-and-play connectivity. A managed switch offers configuration and more control or features, which are useful when you need to manage the network rather than simply add wired connections. Cisco explains these switch types in its guide to how a switch works.
Why one physical box may do more than one job
Hub, switch, and router describe network functions, not a rule that every function must live in a separate box. Modern products can combine roles. A home router, for instance, may also provide wired switching as part of the same device. Check the device’s stated functions rather than assuming its product name tells the whole story.
Quick Recap
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- Connect More Devices—True Tri-Band and OFDMA technology increase capacity by 4 times to enable simultaneous transmission to more devices
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