Different Networking Devices And Hardware Types — Hub, Switch, Router, Modem, Bridge, Repeater
A computer network consists of various networking devices that have specific roles to play. Each networking device is assigned to carry out a specific task and perform different works. A computer network includes devices like a hub, switch, router, modem, bridge, repeater, etc. some of which also have some sub-divisions which we will look at further in this article.
When you are setting up a computer network at your home or office you will need a set of hardware devices. These devices will allow the data transmission to happen across your computer network. But what are these devices? And what function does a specific networking device carry out? It is important to know the basics of networking devices before setting up a computer network so that you can build a good one. Let’s have a look at the answers to the above questions.
Different Networking Devices
HUB
A hub is one of the basic components in a computer network. It works in the physical layer of OSI model. A hub does not have decision making capability and, therefore, is considered as a non-intelligent device. Its the main function is to connect multiple network hosts. Basically, a hub takes the data in one of its ports and copies that data packet to send it to all of the other ports connected to the network. That means a hub sends all the data it receives to the ports. As a hub does not have decision making the power it is not capable to find out the correct path for data packets. This, in turn, leads to inefficiencies in the network. There are mainly two types of hubs;
Active Hub — An active hub is considered smarter than its counterpart — passive hub. This hub has its own power supply and it not only provides a path for data packets but also clean, strengthen, and concentrate the data signals before sending them to the port they belong. If you want to increase the distance between nodes then these are the perfect ones. An active hub is also known as a ‘repeater’.
Passive Hub — A passive hub does not modify, strengthen, or boost the incoming data signal. These hubs work as a meeting point for all the wires coming from nodes and the power supply from an active hub. You cannot extend the distance between nodes using the passive hubs.
SWITCHES
A switch is basically a data link layer device. As a switch has decision making capability it is considered to be one of the intelligent devices available on a computer network. A switch has the knowledge of MAC addresses of ports connected in the network and, therefore, it enhances the networking performance constantly. A switch works in full-duplex mode and also provides security as it sends the data packets only to specific and desired locations. Additional security features like firewalls can be added to a switch.
BRIDGE
A bridge is a computer networking device which operates at data link layer and connects other bridge networks using the same protocol. A bridge can connect two LAN connections working on the same protocol. Basically, it is just like a bridge on a river which connects one bank to the other. There are two types of bridges;
Get onlypos’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Transparent Bridges — If the network is using a transparent bridge then the stations have no clue if there’s even a bridge present. Therefore, reconfiguration of stations becomes unnecessary in such case. The transparent bridge uses two processes, viz. bridge forwarding and bridge learning.
Source Routing Bridge — Mostly used in Token ring networks the packets traveling through this bridge have the information about their destination implanted within themselves.
Translational Bridge — This bridge converts the format of data from one form to another. Therefore, it has got the name Translational bridge.
REPEATER
A repeater can also be called as a booster. It works at the physical layer in a computer networking system and its main purpose is to regenerate the signal over the same network before it gets weak and diminishes. This helps to extend the signal’s travel length. A repeater, however, is not a signal amplifier. When the signal gets weak it simply copies it bit by bit and sends it to the route. A repeater is similar to a Hub but with added functionality. Both repeaters and hubs, face one mutual problem, i.e. only one transmission at a particular time. In case of data transmission through several devices, the data collides and gets lost.
MODEM
The word is the combination of MODulation and the DEmodulation operations. A modem is a device used to connect any computer to an internet connection. A modem converts digital signals into analog signals so that it can travel through telephone lines. There are two types of modems available; internal and external modems. Generally, external modems are used mostly. An internal modem is just like a memory card called add-in expansion cards and PCMCIA cards used for laptops.
ROUTER
Routers are layer-3 devices in the OSI model. A router is used to route the traffic from one network to another. A router works to direct the traffic in a different direction. A router is used for creating complex networks by complex traffic routing. A router connects LANs and WANs together and divides broadcast domains of hosts connected with it.
A router is an intelligent device as it reads the destination address from the data packet and routes it to the location. A router is able to send the data packet to its desired location by searching in its routing table. Therefore, a routing table must be updated and complete to avoid data collision and loss. A router essentially receives information through two ways:
Static Routing — This type of routing requires manual feeding of data into the tables. Static routing is more prone to errors during data entry and also takes longer time. This type of routing is suitable for small networks which have one or maximum two routers to avoid the errors.
Dynamic Routing — In this type of routing routers are enabled to transfer information to other routers so that all the routers get their own routing tables updated. Dynamic routing is preferable in larger network environments where more than two routers are in work.
Source: https://www.cablesonline.com.au/blog/different-networking-devices-and-hardware-types/
