10/100 Mbit/s \ dual-speed hubs

In contrast to the simple hubs, dual-speed hubs are able to support two transmission rates and thus enable to connect two ETHERNET networks with different data rates to each other. Dual-speed hubs are internally structured like two separate hubs or paths (one for each data rate). By means of the auto negotiation function the transmission rate of the connected station is determined and automatically switched to the corresponding path. Each internal path is a separate hub. For the temporary storage of the data packages, the paths are connected to each other via an internal switch. Dual-speed hubs likewise operate in half duplex mode. However, the internal switch provides a clear separation of the 10 Mbit/s and the 100 Mbit/s side so that unlike the simple hubs a collision domain cannot reach beyond the borders of the corresponding side of the dual speed hub.