Networking hardware
Networking hardware, also known as network equipment or computer networking devices, are electronic devices that are required for communication and interaction between devices on a
Range
Networking devices includes a broad range of equipment which can be classified as core network components which interconnect other network components, hybrid components which can be found in the core or border of a network and hardware or software components which typically sit on the connection point of different networks.
The most common kind of networking hardware today is a copper-based
Other networking hardware used in computers includes
Taking a wider view, mobile phones, tablet computers and devices associated with the internet of things may also be considered networking hardware. As technology advances and IP-based networks are integrated into building infrastructure and household utilities, network hardware will become an ambiguous term owing to the vastly increasing number of network-capable endpoints.
Specific devices
Network hardware can be classified by its location and role in the network.
Core
Core network components interconnect other network components.
- Gateway: an interface providing a compatibility between networks by converting transmission speeds, protocols, codes, or security measures.[2]
- Router: a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform the "traffic directing" functions on the Internet. A data packet is typically forwarded from one router to another through the networks that constitute the internetwork until it reaches its destination node.[3] It works on OSI layer 3.[4]
- Switch: a multi-port device that connects devices together at the same or different speeds on a computer network, by using packet switching to receive, process and forward data to the destination device. Unlike less advanced network hubs, a network switch forwards data only to one or multiple devices that need to receive it, rather than broadcasting the same data out of each of its ports.[5] It works on OSI layer 2.
- Bridge: a device that connects multiple network segments. It works on OSI layers 1 and 2.[6]
- signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, or onto the other side of an obstruction, so that the signal can cover longer distances.[7]
- jam signal to all ports if they detect a collision. Hubs are now largely obsolete, having been replaced by network switchesexcept in very old installations or specialized applications.
- Wireless access point
- Structured cabling
Hybrid
Hybrid components can be found in the core or border of a network.
- Multilayer switch: a switch that, in addition to switching on OSI layer 2, provides functionality at higher protocol layers.
- transmission, for interoperation.[9]
- Bridge router (brouter): a device that works as a bridge and as a router. The brouter routes packets for known protocols and simply forwards all other packets as a bridge would.[10]
Border
Hardware or software components which typically sit on the connection point of different networks (for example, between an internal network and an external network) include:
- Proxy server: computer network service which allows clients to make indirect network connections to other network services.[11]
- Firewall: a piece of hardware or software put on the network to prevent some communications forbidden by the network policy.[12] A firewall typically establishes a barrier between a trusted, secure internal network and another outside network, such as the Internet, that is assumed to not be secure or trusted.[13]
- Network address translator (NAT): network service (provided as hardware or as software) that converts internal to external network addresses and vice versa.[14]
- Residential gateway: interface between a WAN connection to an Internet service provider and the home network.
- Terminal server: connects devices with a serial port to a local area network.
End stations
Other hardware devices used for establishing networks or dial-up connections include:
- Network interface controller (NIC): a device connecting a computer to a computer network.
- Wireless network interface controller: a device connecting the attached computer to a radio-based computer network.
- Modem: device that modulates an analog "carrier" signal (such as sound) to encode digital information, and that also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. Used (for example) when a computer communicates with another computer over a telephone network.
- ISDN terminal adapter (TA): a specialized gatewayfor ISDN.
- Line driver: a device to increase transmission distance by amplifying the signal; used in base-band networks only.
See also
References
- ^ a b IEEE 802.3-2012 Clause 9.1
- ^ "ATIS Telecom Glossary". www.atis.org. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
- ^ "The TCP/IP Guide - Overview Of Key Routing Protocol Concepts: Architectures, Protocol Types, Algorithms and Metrics". www.tcpipguide.com. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
- ^ "ATIS Telecom Glossary". www.atis.org.
- ^ "Hubs Versus Switches – Understand the tradeoffs" (PDF). ccontrols.com. 2002. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- ^ E., Decker; A., Rijsinghani; K., McCloghrie; P., Langille. "Definitions of Managed Objects for Bridges". tools.ietf.org. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
- ^ "ATIS Telecom Glossary". www.atis.org. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
- ^ Dean, Tamara (2010). Network+ Guide to Networks. Delmar. pp. 256–257.
- ^ "ATIS Telecom Glossary". www.atis.org. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
- ^ "bridge router Definition from PC Magazine Encyclopedia". www.pcmag.com. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
- ^ "ATIS Telecom Glossary". www.atis.org. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
- ^ "ATIS Telecom Glossary". www.atis.org. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
- S2CID 15271915.
- ^ "ATIS Telecom Glossary". www.atis.org. Retrieved 2021-06-20.