Active hub:-
The central hub in the tree is an active hub. An active hub contains a repeater, which is hardware device that regenerates the received bit patterns before sending them out.
Passive hub:-
A passive hub provides a simple physical connection between the attached devices.
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences between an active hub and a passive hub:
| Active Hub | Passive Hub | |
|---|---|---|
| Signal | Regenerates and amplifies incoming signals | Distributes signals without regeneration or amplification |
| Regeneration | Yes | No |
| Ports | Multiple ports (4 to 24 ports typically) | Limited ports (2 to 4 ports typically) |
| Power Source | Requires external power source | Relies on power from connected devices |
| Functionality | Offers advanced features and management capabilities (error detection, collision prevention, etc.) | Basic connection point, no advanced features or management capabilities |
| Network Extension | Can extend the network beyond original infrastructure | N/A |
The main difference between an active hub and a passive hub lies in their functionality and capabilities. Here’s a comparison between the two:
Signal Regeneration: An active hub regenerates and amplifies incoming signals before transmitting them to the connected devices. It boosts the signal strength, allowing it to travel longer distances and overcome signal degradation.
Multiple Ports: Active hubs usually have multiple ports (typically 4 to 24 ports) to connect multiple devices or network segments.
Power Source: Active hubs require an external power source, usually through a power adapter or a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) connection.
Intelligent Functionality: Active hubs often include additional features and management capabilities, such as error detection, collision prevention, and network diagnostics. They may also support advanced network protocols and provide management interfaces for configuration and monitoring.
Network Extension: Active hubs can extend the network beyond the limitations of the original network infrastructure by boosting signals and allowing connectivity over longer distances.
Signal Distribution: A passive hub simply distributes incoming signals to all connected devices without any signal regeneration or amplification. It does not actively process or modify the signals.
Limited Ports: Passive hubs typically have a smaller number of ports (usually 2 to 4 ports) compared to active hubs.
No Power Source: Passive hubs do not require an external power source as they rely solely on the power provided by the connected devices.