What generally distinguishes a switch from a hub?

A switch is distinguished from a hub primarily by its ability to provide greater bandwidth for multiple connections. When a switch receives data, it can intelligently send that data only to the specific device or port that needs it, rather than broadcasting it to all connected devices like a hub does. This selective addressing reduces network congestion and allows for more efficient data transmission, thereby improving the overall bandwidth available for each connected device.

In contrast, while a hub simply repeats incoming data to all ports, a switch collects and retains the MAC addresses of devices on the network, making its communication more efficient and tailored. This capability enables switches to handle multiple data streams simultaneously, which is crucial in environments with high traffic.

The other options suggest factors that do not accurately represent how switches and hubs operate. For instance, the maximum cable length is not significantly different between switches and hubs; both are typically limited by Ethernet standards. A switch does not rely on wireless technology but is generally used in wired networks. Additionally, a switch can connect multiple devices, not just two, allowing for more extensive network setups.