2. Network devices
The devices which are used for communication between
different hardware’s used in the computer network are known as
network devices.
These devices are also known as physical devices, networking
hardware, and network equipment otherwise computer
networking devices.
In a computer network, each network device plays a key role
based on their functionality, and also works for different
purposes at different segments.
3. TYPES OF NETWORK DEVICES
There are different types of network devices used in a
computer network which include the following.
• Network Hub
• Network Switch
• Network Router
• Bridge
• Gateway
• Modem
• Repeater
4. NETWORK HUB
A hub is a physical layer networking device which is used to
connect multiple devices in a network. They are generally used
to connect computers in a LAN. A hub has many ports in it.
An example is a USB hub, which allows multiple USB devices to
connect to one computer, even though that computer may only
have a few USB connections
Network hubs are classified into Three types like Active hub ,
Passive hub & Intelligent Hub
Active Hub
Passive Hub
Intelligent Hub
5. 1) Active Hub:- These are the hubs that have their power
supply and can clean, boost, and relay the signal along with the
network. It serves both as a repeater as well as a wiring center.
These are used to extend the maximum distance between nodes.
2) Passive Hub:- These are the hubs that collect wiring from
nodes and power supply from the active hub. These hubs relay
signals onto the network without cleaning and boosting them and
can’t be used to extend the distance between nodes.
3) Intelligent Hub:- It works like an active hub and includes
remote management capabilities. They also provide flexible data
rates to network devices. It also enables an administrator to
monitor the traffic passing through the hub and to configure each
port in the hub.
TYPES OF HUB
6. NETWORK SWITCH
A network switch connects devices (such as computers, printers,
wireless access points) in a network to each other, and allows
them to 'talk' by exchanging data packets. Switches can be
hardware devices that manage physical networks, as well as
software-based virtual devices
The switch can perform error checking before forwarding data,
which makes it very efficient as it does not forward packets that
have errors and forward good packets selectively to the correct port
only. In other words, the switch divides the collision domain of
hosts, but the broadcast domain remains the same.
7. NETWORK ROUTER
A router is a communication device that connects multiple networks
using similar or different protocols. It manages the best route
between any two communication networks. Routers are used when
several networks are connected together.
A router can be used of a network of any size. It can connect
networks of different countries. They transfer data in less time. The
router is an intelligent device. It uses algorithm to find out the best
path to transfer data to a network.
8. Bridge
A bridge is a type of computer network device that
provides interconnection with other bridge networks
that use the same protocol. Bridge devices work at the
data link layer of the Open System Interconnect (OSI)
model, connecting two different networks together and
providing communication between them.
9. Gateway
A gateway is a network node used in
telecommunications that connects two networks with
different transmission protocols together. Gateways
serve as an entry and exit point for a network as all data
must pass through or communicate with the gateway prior
to being routed.
A network gateway joins two networks so the
devices on one network can communicate with the
devices on another network. Without gateways,
you wouldn't be able to access the internet,
communicate and send data back and forth
10. Modem
Modem is a device that enables a computer to send or
receive data over telephone or cable lines. The data
stored on the computer is digital whereas a telephone
line or cable wire can transmit only analog data. The
main function of the modem is to convert digital signal
into analog and vice versa.
Modem stands for Modulator and Demodulator. It is
a device that modulates signals to encode digital
information for transmission and demodulates signals
to decode the transmitted information.
A modem transmits data in bits per second (bps).
11. Types of Modem
Telephone modem
Digital subscriber Line
Cable modem
Satellite modem
The different types of modems used to access the
internet at home are as follows Telephone modem
12. A computer is connected through telephone lines to access the
network of other computers.
It is cheaper when compared to other modems because it does
not have any installation cost and also the monthly fee of a
telephone modem is low. It can be used in any house if a
telephone network is provided.
Telephone modem
13. It provides high speed internet connection through
telephone lines. It is expensive when compared to a
telephone modem.
The DSL is also connected with phone lines similar
to telephone modem, but the difference is in DSL
voice communication and internet service is used
simultaneously whereas in telephone modem it is
not provided.
Digital subscriber Line
14. Cable Modem is a device that allows high-speed data access
via a cable TV (CATV) network. Most cable modems are
currently external devices that connect to the PC through a
standard 10 BASE-T Ethernet card and twisted-pair wiring
Cable modem
15. It is a device that provides internet connection
through satellite dishes. It transfers the input bits to
output radio signals and then executes vice versa. It
is costlier when compared to all other modems but
provides better reliability to the internet network.
Satellite modem
16. A repeater is an electronic device that amplifies the
signal it receives. You can think of repeater as a device
which receives a signal and retransmits it at a higher
level or higher power so that the signal can cover
longer distances, more than 100 meters for standard
LAN cables. Repeaters work on the Physical layer
Repeater
