Which device typically handles Broadcast transmissions?

The device that typically handles broadcast transmissions is a hub. Hubs are simple networking devices that operate at the physical layer of the OSI model, which means they do not have the capability to direct traffic based on the destination address. When a hub receives a broadcast frame from one of its connected devices, it will transmit that frame to all ports, thereby allowing all devices connected to the hub to receive the broadcast message. This behavior makes hubs suitable for environments where broadcasts are common, although they are largely considered outdated in modern networking due to their inherent limitations in terms of performance and security.

On the other hand, while routers, switches, and repeaters play important roles in networking, they handle traffic differently. Routers are designed to direct traffic between different networks rather than propagate broadcasts throughout a network segment. Switches operate at the data link layer and can handle broadcast frames, but they do so in a more controlled manner by only sending broadcasts to specific network segments rather than to all connected devices. Repeaters simply regenerate signals to extend the distance of a network and do not have intelligence regarding the content or type of data being transmitted.