What's the Difference Between a Router and a Hub?

What is a Router?
A router is a device that is connected to at least two networks that forwards data packets across networks. A router is usually connected through a local area network, or LAN, or a wide area network, or WAN. Routers are connected via gateways, which are the two or more networks they are connected to.

How a Router Works
Routers are very important, as they keep data flowing between networks and keep the networks connected to the Internet. When information is sent between locations on one network or between two networks, the data is always seen and directed to the appropriate area on the router. This is accomplished by using headers and forwarding tables to determine the best method for forwarding the data packets. Protocols are then used to communicate with each other and configure the best router between two hosts.

What is a Hub?
A network hub, or a repeater hub, is a networking device used for connecting multiple Ethernet devices together, making them act as a single network segment. Networks hubs usually contain a BNC or AUI connector to allow connection to legacy network segments such as 10BASE2 or 10BASE5. Hubs have become very rare and obsolete because the limited availability of low-priced network switches.

How Does a Router Differ from a Hub?
A router is much more sophisticated that a network hub. Network routers are small, box-shaped pieces of equipment that multiple computers can connect to. Both network devices feature ports in the front or back that provide connection points for computers.

Traditionally, routers are designed to join multiple area networks such as LANs or WANs. In a large corporate network, routers would serve as the intermediate destinations for network traffic. The routers will then receive TCP/IP packets and look inside each packet to identify IP addresses. These packets are then forwarded to the final destination.

Routers in home networks can also join multiple networks such as LANs or WANs. Broadband routers are specifically designed to join the same local area network to connect to the Internet or a wide area network for Internet connection sharing. Network hubs are not capable of joining multiple networks or sharing an Internet connection. If a home network contains only hubs, it must designate one computer as the gateway to the Internet. This computer must have two network adapters for sharing. One will be for the home LAN and the other will be for the Internet WAN.

A router designates each computer on the network equally, while performing the same gateway functions. In home networking, network hubs exist primarily for wired networks, while routers can be used with wireless networks.