Western Governors University (WGU) ITEC2002 D322 Introduction to IT Practice Exam

The primary function of a network hub is to connect multiple devices on a local area network (LAN) without being able to interpret or selectively route the data that is being sent across the network. Hubs operate at the physical layer of the OSI model, meaning they simply relay incoming data packets to all devices connected to them. They do not have the ability to filter traffic or direct packets based on their destination. This means that when a hub receives data from one device, it transmits that data to all other devices connected to it, allowing for basic communication among those devices.

In contrast, options that suggest functions such as establishing secure internet connections or sending data specifically to intended computers are more characteristic of routers and switches, which possess the capability to manage traffic intelligently and create secure pathways. Furthermore, the notion of connecting multiple networks together typically refers to a router's role rather than that of a hub, which is limited to a single network segment without any awareness of network-level addressing or routing.