Networking Devices

Hi All,

            Today let’s discuss something about different devices used in Networking Domain.

             These are used to connect different devices like computers, printers, scanners, etc. to a network, so that they can communicate easily.

             These devices are – NIC Card or LAN Card, Repeaters, Hubs, Bridges, Switches, Routers.

• NIC Card (Network Interface Card) – It’s a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) Card in a Computer, & provides communication within locally connected devices. It has 48 bit serial number called MAC (Media Access Control) address. It’s a Layer-1 (Physical) & Layer-2 (Data Link Layer) device.

• Repeaters – It’s a device used to Re-Generate the Signals. It regenerates electrical, wireless & optical signals. It helps to transmit signals to a longer distance, which becomes week due to transmission loss. 

•  Hubs – These devices are used to connect different devices like computers, printers, etc. to a common LAN (Local Area Network), which helps to share resources. It’s like a Junction box, where LAN cables from different computers connects & allows computers to see network as a Single Unit. It’s a most commonly used device within house networks since it offers inexpensive option.     

• Bridges / Switches – As the name implies, it provides communication between different LAN’s using same protocols like Ethernet. It’s a Layer-2 (Data Link Layer) device. In this, message is forwarded to every device using MAC address within network & only specific device (for whom message is addressed) responds. These devices are generally used within small networks since it broadcasts every message to each possible destination which would generate unnecessary traffic.

          Difference Between Bridge & Switches–

1. Switch operates with Higher Speed than Bridge.
2. Normally Switch has more ports than Bridge.
3. Switch can operate in both (Half & full Duplex) mode, while Bridges only operates in Half-Duplex mode.
4. Packet forwarding in Switches are hardware based, while in Bridge its Software based.

• Routers – It’s a Layer – 3 (Network Layer) Device & filter data based on IP address. It helps in determining optimal path for transmitting data from network to another network.  It’s used to connect different LANs or a LAN with a WAN (e.g. the internet). It can regenerate signals, concentrate multiple connections, convert data transmission formats, and manage data transfers. It helps in controlling both Broadcast & Collision Domain.

Keep checking for new posts till than HaaaPPy Reading.

Comments are most Welcomed.

ChEeEeEeRs..
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