How does a switch differ from a hub in a network?

The distinction between a switch and a hub is fundamentally rooted in how they handle data traffic within a network. A switch operates using MAC addresses to determine the destination of data packets. This means that when a switch receives a data packet, it identifies the intended recipient device using its MAC address and forwards the packet specifically to that device. This targeted approach minimizes unnecessary traffic on the network, as only the intended recipient receives the data, thus improving overall network efficiency and performance.

On the other hand, a hub functions as a basic networking device that does not have the intelligence to route data. When a hub receives a data packet, it simply broadcasts that packet to all connected devices in the network segment. This means every device receives the data regardless of whether it is the intended recipient or not, creating a lot of unnecessary traffic and potential collisions. This difference in behavior is crucial for network design and efficiency, and it illustrates why switches are favored in modern networking environments while hubs are considered obsolete.

The other options mischaracterize the roles and functionalities of switches and hubs. While options describing the layers at which they operate or their routing capabilities may contain elements of truth, they do not accurately capture the critical aspect of how data transmission is handled. The focus on destination-specific forwarding versus