Network Topology Overview:

In this Cisco Packet Tracer setup, a hub connects five PCs in a simple star-shaped network. When one PC sends data, the hub copies it and sends it to all the other connected devices. This setup shows how a hub works by sharing data with every device, without knowing which one is supposed to receive it. 

Key Features of a Hub-Based Network: 

A hub-based network sends the same data to all connected devices, making it simple but not very efficient. Since all devices share the same bandwidth, the network can become slow as more devices are added. Also, because the data is shared with every device, it can cause security issues. While hubs are cheap and easy to set up, they are not a good choice for networks that need speed, security, or reliability. 

Network Topology Overview:

In this Cisco Packet Tracer setup, a switch connects five PCs in a star-shaped network. When one PC sends data, the switch directs the data only to the specific device it’s meant for, instead of broadcasting it to all devices like a hub. This setup demonstrates how the switch operates by learning the MAC addresses of connected devices and forwarding data only to the intended recipient. 

Key Features of a Switch-Based Network: 

A switch-based network efficiently manages data traffic by sending data only to the device it’s intended for. This reduces unnecessary network congestion, making it faster and more reliable than a hub-based network. Since the switch operates at the data link layer and uses MAC addresses, it helps improve security and overall performance. Switches are ideal for networks that require better speed, security, and efficiency. 

Network Topology Overview:

In this Cisco Packet Tracer setup, a router connects two different networks or subnets, allowing communication between them. The router forwards data between these networks, ensuring that it reaches the correct destination. By using routing tables, the router determines the best path for the data to travel, based on either pre-configured static routes or dynamically learned routes through routing protocols. 

Key Features of a Switch-Based Network: 

A router operates at the network layer (Layer 3) and is responsible for directing traffic between different networks. It ensures that data is sent to the right destination, even when it must pass through multiple network boundaries. Routers use routing tables to decide the best path for data, which can be manually configured or updated using routing protocols. They are essential for interconnecting different subnets, enabling communication between them, and allowing data to flow across local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and even over the internet. Routers enhance network efficiency by controlling traffic flow and optimizing data delivery. 

In the static routing demonstration, routers are manually set up to direct data between different network segments, creating controlled and efficient paths for data. Static routing works well for smaller or stable networks because each router has predefined routes that tell it where to send data based on destination IP addresses. The setup involves assigning IP addresses to each router interface and defining static routes to make sure the networks can communicate. By manually configuring these routes, we can have better control over the flow of data, which helps improve security and makes routing simpler.

Static routing also gives network administrators full control over how data travels, which is helpful in networks where traffic doesn’t change often. Unlike dynamic routing, which adjusts automatically when the network changes, static routing needs to be updated manually if the network setup changes. This makes static routing more reliable and secure for smaller networks, but as the network grows or changes, it can become harder to manage because there are more routes to update. So, while static routing is great for small, stable networks, it may not be the best choice for larger or more dynamic networks.