The document discusses and compares various networking equipment. It defines terms like router, switch, hub, bridge and provides examples of products from companies like ASUS, D-Link, Netgear. It then provides a table comparing the price of various routers, switches, hubs and bridges from these companies.

1. Data Communication
Networking
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LATEST NETWORKING
EQUIPMENT
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
Submitted To:
Prof. Kapil Mohan Garg
DCN Faculty
Submitted by:
Shivam Prakash Chaurasia
PGDM (14-16)
SEC-B

2. 1
I.T.S
THE CONCEPT OF A NETWORK
The term network means an
interconnected or
interrelated chain, group, or
system. Using this definition,
we can begin to identify all
kinds of networks: a chain of
Hotels, the road system, the
names in a person’s address
book or PDA.
What Is COMPUTER
NETWORKING?
A computer network is a group of computer systems and other computing
hardware devices that are linked together through communication channels to
facilitate communication and resource-sharing among a wide range of users.
Networks are commonly categorized based on their characteristics.
REGISTERED JACK
A registered jack (RJ) is a standardized
network interface used for network
cabling, wiring and jack construction. The
primary function of registered jacks is to
connect different data equipment and
telecommunication devices with services
normally provided by telephone exchanges
or long-distance carriers. Different
standard designs for RJ connectors and
wiring are RJ-11, RJ-45, RJ-21, RJ-28 and
many more.
Comparative study of latest networking equipment

3. 2
I.T.S
The term registered jack refers to the physical connector and often its wiring as well.
A registered jack is a female physical connector. Initially the registered jack was
regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a standard interface
for customers and telephone companies. Telephone companies are only responsible
for delivery of their services for minimum port of entry. The customer is responsible
for managing all of the physical details, including jacks and wiring.
The standard modular jack was only designed for integrated services digital network
(ISDN) systems. However, modular jacks were internationally standardized in IEEE
802.3i in 1990.
There are a variety of types of registered jacks:
 RJ-11: This is the most popular modular form of registered jack. It is found in
houses and offices where old telephone-wired systems are connected with the
ISP's line.
 RJ-14 and RJ-61: These are similar to RJ-11 but designed for two lines and four
lines respectively. RJ-61 is used for termination of twisted-pair cables and uses
an eight-pin modular connector.
 RJ-25: This jack was introduced for three lines.
 RJ-11s: A suffix is added to indicate a slight addition in functionality. The suffix
w, for example, means that this registered jack is used so the telephone set
can be hung on the wall.
 RJ-21: This jack was designed with 50 conductors to implement 25 lines at a
time. These connectors are used in area networks with multiple switches and
devices.
 RJ-48: This is a modular jack using an eight-position modular connector for
local area networks (LANs), T1 and ISDN termination.
NETWORK CABLING
Cable is the medium through which information usually moves from one network device
to another. There are several types of cable which are commonly used with LANs. In
some cases, a network will utilize only one type of cable, other networks will use a
variety of cable types. The type of cable chosen for a network is related to the network's
topology, protocol, and size. Understanding the characteristics of different types of

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I.T.S
cable and how they relate to other aspects of a network is necessary for the
development of a successful network.
The following sections discuss the types of cables used in networks and other related
topics.
 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
 Coaxial Cable
 Fiber Optic Cable
Twisted pair cabling comes in two varieties: shielded and unshielded. Unshielded
twisted pair (UTP) is the most popular and is generally the best option for school
networks (See fig.).
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
Although UTP cable is the least expensive cable, it may be susceptible to radio and
electrical frequency interference (it should not be too close to electric motors,
fluorescent lights, etc.). If you must place cable in environments with lots of potential
interference, or if you must place cable in extremely sensitive environments that may be
susceptible to the electrical current in the UTP, shielded twisted pair may be the
solution. Shielded cables can also help to extend the maximum distance of the cables.
Shielded twisted pair cable is available in three different configurations:
1. Each pair of wires is individually shielded with foil.
2. There is a foil or braid shield inside the jacket covering all wires (as a group).
3. There is a shield around each individual pair, as well as around the entire group of
wires (referred to as double shield twisted pair).

5. 4
I.T.S
COAXIAL CABLE
Coaxial cabling has a single copper conductor at its center. A plastic layer provides
insulation between the center conductor and a braided metal shield (See fig. 3). The
metal shield helps to block any outside interference from fluorescent lights, motors, and
other computers.
Coaxial cable
Although coaxial cabling is difficult to install, it is highly resistant to signal interference.
In addition, it can support greater cable lengths between network devices than twisted
pair cable. The two types of coaxial cabling are thick coaxial and thin coaxial.
Thin coaxial cable is also referred to as thinnet. 10Base2 refers to the specifications for
thin coaxial cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 2 refers to the approximate maximum
segment length being 200 meters. In actual fact the maximum segment length is 185
meters. Thin coaxial cable has been popular in school networks, especially linear bus
networks.
Thick coaxial cable is also referred to as thicknet. 10Base5 refers to the specifications for
thick coaxial cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 5 refers to the maximum segment
length being 500 meters. Thick coaxial cable has an extra protective plastic cover that
helps keep moisture away from the center conductor. This makes thick coaxial a great
choice when running longer lengths in a linear bus network. One disadvantage of thick
coaxial is that it does not bend easily and is difficult to install.
FIBER OPTIC CABLE
Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of
protective materials (See fig. 5). It transmits light rather than electronic signals
eliminating the problem of electrical interference. This makes it ideal for certain
environments that contain a large amount of electrical interference. It has also made it
the standard for connecting networks between buildings, due to its immunity to the
effects of moisture and lighting.
Fiber optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over much longer distances than
coaxial and twisted pair. It also has the capability to carry information at vastly greater

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I.T.S
speeds. This capacity broadens communication possibilities to include services such as
video conferencing and interactive services. The cost of fiber optic cabling is comparable
to copper cabling; however, it is more difficult to install and modify. 10BaseF refers to
the specifications for fiber optic cable carrying Ethernet signals.
The center core of fiber cables is made from glass or plastic fibers (see fig 5). A plastic
coating then cushions the fiber center, and kevlar fibers help to strengthen the cables
and prevent breakage. The outer insulating jacket made of teflon or PVC.
Fiber optic cable
There are two common types of fiber cables -- single mode and multimode. Multimode
cable has a larger diameter; however, both cables provide high bandwidth at high
speeds. Single mode can provide more distance, but it is more expensive.
BROUTER
A brouter (pronounced BRAU-tuhr or sometimes BEE-rau-tuhr) is a network bridge and
arouter combined in a single product. A bridge is a device that connects one local area
network (LAN) to another local area network that uses the same protocol (for example,
Ethernetor token ring). If a data unit on one LAN is intended for a destination on an
interconnected LAN, the bridge forwards the data unit to that LAN; otherwise, it passes
it along on the same LAN. A bridge usually offers only one path to a given
interconnected LAN. A router connects a network to one or more other networks that
are usually part of a wide area network (WAN) and may offer a number of paths out to
destinations on those networks. A router therefore needs to have more information
than a bridge about the interconnected networks. It consults a routing table for this
information. Since a given outgoing data unit or packet from a computer may be
intended for an address on the local network, on an interconnected LAN, or the wide
area network, it makes sense to have a single unit that examines all data units and
forwards them appropriately.
ETHERNET HUB

7. 6
I.T.S
In computer networking, a hub is a small, simple, inexpensive device that joins
multiple computers together. Many hubs available today support the
Ethernet standard. Other types including USB hubs also exist, but Ethernet is the type
traditionally used in home.
HUBS
To network a group of computers using an Ethernet hub, first connect an cable into
the unit, then connect the other end of the cable to each computer's network
interface card (NIC).
All Ethernet hubs accept the RJ-45 connectors of standard Ethernet cables.
To expand a network to accommodate more devices, Ethernet hubs can also be
connected to each other, to switches, or to routers.
Characteristics of Ethernet Hubs
Ethernet hubs vary in the speed (network data rate or bandwidth) they support.
Some years ago, Ethernet hubs offered only 10 Mbps rated speeds. Newer types of
hubs offer 100 Mbps Ethernet. Some support both 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps (so-
called dual-speed or10/100 hubs).
The number of ports an Ethernet hub supports also varies. Four- and five-port
Ethernet hubs are most common in home networks, but eight- and 16-port hubs can
be found in some home and small office environments.
Older Ethernet hubs were relatively large in size and sometimes noisy as they
contained built in fans for cooling the unit. Newer devices are much smaller,
designed for mobility, and noiseless
BRIDGE NETWORK
A bridge device filters data traffic at a network boundary. Bridges reduce the amount
of traffic on a local area network (LAN) by dividing it into two segments.
Bridges operate at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. Bridges inspect
incoming traffic and decide whether to forward or discard it. An Ethernet bridge, for
example, inspects each incoming Ethernet frame - including the source and

8. 7
I.T.S
destination MAC addresses, and sometimes the frame size - in making individual
forwarding decisions.
Bridges serve a similar function as network switches that also operate at Layer 2.
Traditional bridges, though, support one network boundary (accessible through a
hardware), whereas switches usually offer four or more hardware ports.
NETWORK SWITCH
A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers together
within one local area network (LAN). Ethernet switch devices were commonly used
on home networks routers became popular; broadband routers integrate Ethernet
switches directly into the unit as one of their many functions. High-performance
network switches are still widely used in corporate networks and data centers.
Network Switch Technology
While switching capabilities exist for several types of networks, Ethernet switches are
the most common type. Mainstream Ethernet switches like those routers
support Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) speeds, but high-performance switches like those
in data centers generally support 10 Gbps.
Different models of network switches support differing numbers of connected
devices.
Comparative study of latest networking equipment:-
Equipment Company Name Price
ROUTER ASUS 1750 ROUTER (RTAC
66U)
12290

9. 8
I.T.S
DELINK ROUTER AC 750
(803)
2190
D-LINK 3G ROUTER 111 1323
P ROUTER DLINK (DWR-
710)
1595
SWITCHES D-LINK SWITCH 5 PORT 390
D-LINK SWITCH 5
PORTGIGABI
1095
TOTO LINK SWITCH (S-808) 523
NETGEAR 16PORT SWITCH 1747
HUBS USB BELKIN/IBALL HUB 4
POR
295
LENOVO 4 PORT USB HUB
WIT
619
PORTONICS USB HUB+MSD 257
BRIDGE DELINK BRIDGE AC 750
(803) 2190
2,999
ASUS 300 BRIDGE (RTN
12PLU )
1390
D-LINK BRIDGE 111 1323
MODEMS ADSL MODEM DELINK 838
BINATONE A MODEM (DT
820)
795
D-LINK MODEM+ROUTER
N 300
1895