← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Network hub

A simple box with several ports that joins wired devices. It passes every message on to all connected devices, unlike a switch, which sends it to just one.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 7

Understanding Network hub in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: Several cables going into one hub shows how a hub joins many wired devices together. A hub does not choose a target, so every plugged-in device gets a copy of the message. A switch sends a message only to the device that should get it. A hub sends it to everyone. Hubs are an older, simpler kind of device. Most networks now use switches instead.

Common mistakes: A hub has several ports so that many wired devices can plug in. A hub with only one port could not join the laptop and the printer. It should be ports=4. A hub passes every message on to all of the connected devices. It does not pick just one. The line should be hub.send_to_all(message).

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Network hub to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 5–26) and word search (Modules 5–43).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
A network hub has several ports. What do you plug into those ports?
Only one cable from one deviceCables from several wired devices
Matches
hub.send(message, one_device)
↓
A hub does not send to just one device. It passes the message to all connected devices. Sending to one device is what a switch does.
Applying
Meanings
Term
hub
Meaning
A simple box with several ports that joins wired devices. It passes every message on to all connected devices, unlike a switch, which sends it to just one.
Practice
A hub joins wired devices.
Testing
Gaps
connect(computer1, )
Check Answer
Spots
1box = Hub(ports=1)
2box.plug(laptop)

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Jellyfish' badge — Flow Controller, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. A network hub has several ports. What do you plug into those ports?
A. Only one cable from one device
B. Cables from several wired devices ✓
A hub is a simple box with many ports, so lots of wired devices can be joined together through it.
2. A computer sends a message to a hub. What does the hub do with it?
A. Passes it on to every connected device ✓
B. Sends it only to the device it is meant for
A hub does not choose. It sends every message to all the devices plugged into it.
3. Which device sends a message to just ONE device?
A. A network hub
B. A network switch ✓
A switch sends a message only to the device that should get it. A hub sends it to everyone.
4. Which sentence describes a hub best?
A. A simple box that joins wired devices ✓
B. A clever box that picks one device to send to
A hub is simple. It does not pick who gets a message. That is what a switch does.
5. Four computers are plugged into a hub. Computer 1 sends a file. Who gets a copy of the message?
A. Computers 2, 3 and 4 ✓
B. Only Computer 3
The hub passes the message on to every connected device, so all the other computers receive it.

Match the Pairs

hub → A simple box with several ports that joins wired devices and passes every message on to all connected devices
switch → A smarter box than a hub that sends each message to just the one device it is meant for
A hub has several ports, so you can plug many cables into the one box → hub.plug(cable1, cable2, cable3)
A hub sends every message to all connected devices, even ones that do not need it → hub.send(message, all_devices)
hub.send(message, one_device) → A hub does not send to just one device. It passes the message to all connected devices. Sending to one device is what a switch does.
hub = newest_and_smartest_box → A hub is an older, simpler device, not a smart one. It cannot work out where a message should go.

Key Term

hub
A simple box with several ports that joins wired devices. It passes every message on to all connected devices, unlike a switch, which sends it to just one.

Fill in the Blanks

1. connect(computer1, hub)
Hint: Type the name of the simple box with several ports that joins wired devices.
2. hub.send(message, all)
Hint: Type the word for how many connected devices receive a message from a hub.
3. switch.send(message, one)
Hint: Type the word for how many devices a switch sends a message to, unlike a hub.
4. plug(cable, hub.port)
Hint: Type the name of the socket on the hub where each cable is plugged in.
5. FOR EACH device IN hub.ports send(message, device) END FOR
Hint: Type the keyword that starts a loop repeating for every device, like a hub passing a message on to all.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A box = Hub(ports=1)
B box.plug(laptop)
C box.plug(printer)
Line A — A hub has several ports so that many wired devices can plug in. A hub with only one port could not join the laptop and the printer. It should be ports=4.
Question 2
A message = 'Hello'
B hub.receive(message)
C hub.send_to_one(message)
Line C — A hub passes every message on to all of the connected devices. It does not pick just one. The line should be hub.send_to_all(message).
Question 3
A hub.type = 'wireless tower'
B hub.cables = 'wired'
C hub.smart = False
Line A — A hub is a simple box with ports for cables. It is not a wireless tower. The line should be hub.type = 'simple box'.
Question 4
A message = 'Hi from Ava'
B for pc in hub.devices:
C pc.ignore(message)
Line C — A hub sends the message to every connected device, so each one receives it. The line should be pc.receive(message).
Question 5
A switch = Switch(ports=8)
B switch.send_to(all_devices)
C hub.send_to(all_devices)
Line B — A switch sends a message to just one device. It is the hub that sends to all devices. The line should be switch.send_to(one_device).

Student with a class code? Join your class →