All networks also require the use of a hub. A hub essentially acts as a central traffic cop for the network. The hub manages receiving and transmitting data from networked devices. Each computer and peripheral that you want on the network must have a cable that runs from the NIC that is installed inside it to the hub. Hubs vary in price, depending on the connection speed they support and how many devices they can connect.
Hubs come in many different port configurations.
But hubs can reach much higher prices into the hundreds, even thousands, for supporting multiple users. Finally, you need cables to connect each computer to the hub. The primary types of cable used include twisted pair and fiber optic cables. This type of twisted pair cable can support network speeds up to 100 Mbps. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.