Switches didn’t require one port per host. They required one port per layer-2 network segment. The original switches I deployed had a handful AUI ports to which we attached to 10BASE5 transceivers. Hosts still connected via 10BASE2 or 10BASE5 to the “single wire” of their layer-2 network segment.
Over the years the cost of switches lowered to the point where it became cost effective to directly connect hosts and reap the benefits of reducing layer-2 segments to a single host. In between there was also a time where most hosts connected to hubs which then connected to switches.
Over the years the cost of switches lowered to the point where it became cost effective to directly connect hosts and reap the benefits of reducing layer-2 segments to a single host. In between there was also a time where most hosts connected to hubs which then connected to switches.