Learn about Types of Network Devices in Computer networks. Show
Network devices are physical devices that enable communication and interaction between hardware on a computer network. Each networking device operates in a distinct computer network segment and performs distinct functions. A network may require hundreds or thousands of different network devices to maintain and
build out various LAN and WAN. Network devices like the hub, bridge, repeater, modem, router, gateway, etc., are the basic building blocks of an extensive network. Network devices are physical devices that enable communication and interaction between hardware on a computer network. Network devices are building blocks that permit communication between services and the
endpoints that consume those services. In other words, they're connectors that allow devices on a network to communicate with one another. Enabling communication on a network means anything that helps data get from source to destination. When a network contains a large number of devices, too many data packets are transmitted over the same network path. This can cause congestion and performance reduction. The goal of
networking devices is to provide for smooth communication between various hardware linked to a network. Adding a network device facilitates the seamless sharing of network resources between different systems. Various types of network devices operate in a distinct computer network segment and perform distinct functions. A hub is a physical-layer device that acts on individual bits rather than frames. When a bit, representing a zero or a one, arrives from one interface, the hub simply recreates the bit, boosts its energy strength, and transmits the bit into all the other interfaces. Whenever a hub receives a bit from one of its interfaces, it sends a copy to all other interfaces. In particular, if a hub receives frames from two different interfaces at the same time , a collision occurs, and the nodes that created the frames must retransmit. A network hub does not have routing tables or intelligence that is utilized to transfer information and disseminate all network data across all connections. Flooding is a simple computer network routing technique in which a source or node sends packets through every outgoing link. The flooding algorithm is easy to implement. The hubs use the flooding algorithm to forward data. Types of Hubs There are generally three types of hubs that are given below.
Advantages of Hub
Disadvantages of Hub
SwitchA switch is a multiport network device with a buffer and design that can improve its efficiency (having a large number of ports means less traffic) and performance. A switch is a networking device that operates at the data link layer. A switch has numerous ports into which computers can be plugged. When a data frame arrives at any network switch port, it evaluates the destination address(destination MAC address ), performs the necessary checks, and sends the frame to the associated device. The switch performs error checking before forwarding the data, making it very efficient because it does not forward packets with errors and only forwards good packets to the correct port. The working of the switch can easily be illustrated by the diagram given below in which Host A wants to send some data to Host B. Types of Switches There are generally four types of switches.
Advantages of Switch
Disadvantages of Switch
RouterA router is a network device similar to a switch that routes data packets based on their IP addresses . The router is primarily a Network Layer device. A router is also known as an intelligent device because it can automatically calculate the best route to pass network packets from source to destination. A router examines a data packet's destination IP address and uses headers and forwarding tables to determine the best way to transfer the packets. It communicates between two or more networks using protocols such as ICMP. Types of Routers There are various types of routers used in networking as follows :
Advantages of Router
Disadvantages of Router
BridgeA bridge is a network device that operates at the data link layer device. A bridge is a repeater with the added functionality of filtering content by reading the MAC addresses of the source and destination. It is also used to connect two LANs that use the same protocol. It has a single input and output port, making it a two-port device. The repeater is separately explained at the end of the article. Types of Bridges There are generally two types of bridges used in networking :
Advantages of Bridge
Disadvantages of Bridge
GatewayA gateway is a network node in telecommunications that connects two networks that use different transmission protocols. Gateways serve as network entry and exit points because all data must pass through or communicate with the gateway before being routed. Traffic that does not go through at least one gateway in most IP-based networks is traffic between the nodes on the same local area network (LAN) segment. The primary benefit of using a gateway in personal or business scenarios is that it consolidates internet connectivity into a single device. A gateway node in the enterprise can also serve as a proxy server and a firewall. Types of Gateways Gateways can be classified into two types based on the direction of flow.
Gateways can be classified into five types based on functionalities.
Advantages of Gateway
Disadvantages of Gateway
ModemA modem is a network device that modulates and demodulates analog carrier signals (known as sine waves) to encode and decode digital data for processing. Because modems perform both of these tasks simultaneously, the term modem is a combination of "modulate" and "demodulate". Types of Modem There are generally five types of modem.
Advantages of Modem
Disadvantages of Modem
RepeaterA repeater is a two-port device that operates at the physical layer . It is used to regenerate the signal over the same network before it becomes too weak or corrupted, allowing the signal to be transmitted for a longer distance over the same network. It is important to understand that repeaters do not amplify the signal. When the signal weakens, repeaters copy it bit by bit and regenerate it at its original strength. Types of Repeater On the basis of signals that repeaters generate.
Based on the types of connected networks.
Based on the domain of LAN networks.
Advantages of Repeater
Disadvantages of Repeater
Access pointA wireless device is typically meant by the term access point (AP), even though it technically refers to a wired or wireless connection. The Data Link layer of the OSI model is where an access point (AP) operates. An access point can function as a router or bridge, passing data transmissions from one access point to another. Wireless access points (WAPs) are devices that combine a transmitter and receiver (transceiver) to form a wireless LAN (WLAN). Access points are typically standalone network devices with an antenna, transmitter, and adapter built in. Access points use the wireless infrastructure network mode to connect WLANs to wired Ethernet LANs. Conclusion
What type of device is designed to filter and transfer data packets between dissimilar types of computer networks?A device designed to filter and transfer IP packets between dissimilar types of computer networks is called a: Proxy. Hub.
Which device is used to transfer data packets between two computer networks?A network switch forwards data packets between devices.
What device is used to filter and forward data packets from one network segment to another?A switch (sometimes named a switching hub) refers to a network device which filters and forwards data packets across a network.
Which device can Analyse incoming data packets?Router. A router directs data requests from one network to another. Routers examine incoming packets to determine the appropriate destination IP address and then forward the packet to that destination. A router can also enable internet access through its connection to a modem, or as a combined modem-router.
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