What's the difference between a hub, a switch, and a router?

thanks Leo...for the answer..Clarity in the answer helped me to understand the basics.

mbs = milli bit second
Mbps or Mb/s = mega bits per second

Thanks Leo!
That was really helpful

Sir, i am very confussed.
whats is mainly difference of the hub, switch, or Router. please answer properly

I have two questions:
1) I use Internet Connection Sharing using two NIC cards. For this I need the master PC switched on, always. I have one IP (with one connection). A hub/switch costs less compared to a Router. Can the hub allow the slave PC connect to internet when master is OFF?
2) I have one XAVI Tech. Corp. X7721r+ router that has WAN and Ethernet ports. Can I use this for the slave PC (I thought of using a parallel socket, connect master PC directly, and the slave thru this router)
My son uses the slave PC and I don't want to spend too much and at the same time I don't want my PC to be put ON, when I am away.
(I came to this site looking for differences between the equipments, but could not make out and hence this post)

SIR,is it true that to say router interconnect network,but switch or hub interconnect PCs.
PLEASE WRITE.JUST SHORT

I have a 4 port linksys wireless router. What can I add to this router to expand my ports. I need another 2 for network printing (eithernet)

A hub or a switch.

04-Nov-2010

whats the difference betwee internet , intranet and extranet

Two out of three of those are covered here: What's the difference between an intranet and the internet? Extranet is even more vague - I'd just send you to wikipedia for now.

27-Nov-2010

I'm wanting to cite you for some research. It would be nice if you dated your posts.

All posts on Ask Leo! are dated, just below the related links at the bottom of the article.

04-Dec-2010

I have a 16 port d-link switch that will only work behind my linksys router, but not when hooked directly from the modem...is this normal, or is there something wrong with my switch?

It depends on what your ISP provides, but yes typically a router is required.

13-Dec-2010