How does a hub differ from a switch in terms of traffic handling?

In a network environment, a hub is a fundamental device that operates at the OSI model's physical layer, primarily concerned with the transmission of data. Unlike a switch, which intelligently forwards data packets to specific devices based on their MAC addresses, a hub transmits data in a more simplistic manner.

When information is sent through a hub, it broadcasts that data to all devices connected to it within the same network segment. This means that every device receives the packet, regardless of whether it is the intended recipient. This method of operation can lead to increased network traffic and potential collisions because multiple devices may attempt to send data simultaneously, causing confusion and inefficiencies.

In contrast, a switch operates at the data link layer and maintains a MAC address table to direct traffic specifically to the intended recipient, thereby reducing unnecessary network load and improving overall efficiency. Thus, the characteristic of a hub broadcasting data to all connected devices is what distinctly differentiates it from a switch in terms of traffic handling.