HUB

In computer terminology, a "hub" is a common connection point for devices in a network. For example, hubs are used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub has multiple ports so that when a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the others so that all segments of the LAN can see all of the packets. Therefore, in data communications, a hub is a place of convergence, where data arrives from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more other directions.

The word "hub" was also used as one of the initial names for what is now known as a "portal." It came from the idea of producing a Web site that would contain many different "portal spots" (small boxes that looked like ads and linked to other people's content). Access to this content, combined with Internet technology, made the hub a milestone in the development and appearance of many Web sites. It was possible to display a lot of useful information without having to develop it all yourself. Despite its pioneering role, the term hub was later ditched for portal.

When seen as "HUB" it is an acronym used in texting, online chat, instant messaging, e-mail, blogs, and newsgroup postings, it is also considered a form of online jargon or text message shorthand.