hub

A hub is a central point or node in a network or system that connects multiple elements and facilitates the flow of people, goods, information, or signals. The term originates from the wheel hub, the central component that mounts the wheel, and is used metaphorically to denote a gathering or interchange point.

In transportation, a hub is a location such as an airport, seaport, or railway station where routes converge and from which services radiate. Hubs enable passenger transfers, cargo consolidation, and network efficiency by concentrating operations in a focal point. Major hubs often serve as strategic gateways within a region or country.

In information technology and networks, a hub is a simple device that physically connects several devices in a star topology and repeats incoming signals to all ports. It operates at the physical layer and lacks traffic-filtering capabilities, leading to broadcast of packets and potential collisions in traditional Ethernet. Switches and routers have largely replaced hubs in modern networks.

In graph theory and data analysis, a hub or hub node refers to a vertex with high degree or centrality, connecting many other nodes. Hubs play a key role in network structure and dynamics, influencing information flow and resilience.

In business and logistics, a hub-and-spoke model centralizes operations such as sorting, packaging, or distribution, while spokes connect to local nodes. This arrangement can reduce transportation costs and improve service levels but may introduce single points of congestion or risk.

In other uses, the term is applied metaphorically in biology and social science to describe highly connected entities, such as hub proteins in molecular networks or influential individuals linking disparate groups.