Which of the following is a key feature of a switch compared to a hub?

A switch's key feature compared to a hub is its ability to perform intelligent data packet forwarding. This means that a switch can analyze the MAC addresses of incoming data packets and send them only to the specific device for which they are intended. This targeted forwarding minimizes unnecessary data traffic on the network and significantly enhances performance and efficiency.

In contrast, a hub simply broadcasts incoming data packets to all connected devices, regardless of their destination. This can lead to increased network congestion and data collisions. The intelligent handling of data by a switch reduces the likelihood of collisions, creating a more efficient and reliable networking environment.

Additionally, switches typically operate within separate collision domains for each connected device, further improving network performance. This is a major advantage over hubs, where all devices share the same collision domain, leading to potential communication issues as more devices join the network. Therefore, the ability of a switch to intelligently forward data packets is a crucial feature that distinguishes it from a hub.