What is the main disadvantage of using a hub instead of a switch?

The main disadvantage of using a hub instead of a switch is that a hub causes more collision domains, leading to reduced network efficiency. A hub operates by broadcasting incoming data packets to all its ports, which means that when multiple devices attempt to send data simultaneously, collisions occur. Each collision forces the devices involved to retransmit their data, which can significantly slow down the overall network performance. This inefficiency becomes more pronounced as the number of devices connected to the hub increases, resulting in a higher likelihood of collisions and, consequently, reduced throughput.

In contrast, a switch intelligently directs data only to the specific port associated with the destination device, effectively creating separate collision domains for each connected segment. This capability minimizes the chances of data collisions, enhances overall network performance, and allows for more efficient data transmission among devices on the network.