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An Overview of the Computer Network Devices & Components

[ Posted On: 2006-12-02 ]

A Computer network is comprised of different devices which share and transmit data and voice as well as boost signals. Network devices or components are the physical parts connected to a network. There are a large number of the network devices and, which are increasing daily. The basic network devices are: Individual Computers, Server, Hub, Switch, Bridges, Routers, Modems, Printers, DSL Modems & Routers, Gateways, Network Interface Cards, Cabling & Wireless access point.

The following is a overview of each of these network devices.

INDIVIDUAL COMPUTERS: The personal computer is usually a desktop computer, a work station or a laptop. Personal computers are used in organizations or for personal use.

SERVER: A server is a computer on a network, which process requests and is used to share data and resources among other computers on a network. A server stores all the necessary information and provides different services like, workstation computer’s logon access, internet sharing, print sharing, disk space sharing etc. There are different types of servers e.g File and print server, database server, proxy server, Fax server, backup server etc.

A database server stores all the data and software, and it allows other network devices to access and process database queries. A file server is used to store the data of any user on the network and a print server manages one or more printers in a network. Similarly a network server is a server that manages network traffic.

NETWORK INTERFACE CARD: Network interface cards are attached to the computer or other network devices and are used to provide connectivity between computers. Each network card is specifically designed for different types of the network like Ethernet, FDDI, Token Ring and Wireless Networks. The Network card operates on the first and second layers of the OSI model, i.e Physical layer and datalink layer specifications.

HUBS: The Hub is a simplest network device. The function of the hub is broadcasting -- i.e data is forwarded towards all ports of a hub, regardless of whether the data was intended for the particular systems in the network or not. Computers in a network are connected to a hub with twisted pair (CAT5) cables. There are two types of hubs. 1. Active Hubs. 2. Passive Hubs.

SWITCHING HUB: A Switching hub (also called “switch” is the most advance form of the basic hub. In a basic hub all the computers are connected to the hub and the speed of the network is defined by the slowest computer network card. For example if you have 10/100 Mbps cards in a network and only one card of 10Mbps speed then the system cannot run faster than the 10 Mbps. Now if you have a switching hub in a network, it will allow all the faster connections in the network to remain at the higher speed and still interact with the 10Mbps system.

SWITCHES: A Switch is a more intelligence device than hub. A Switch is a layer 2 device. A Switch provides the same function as a hub or a bridge but it has the advanced functionality of connecting two computers together temporarily. A Switch contains a switch matrix or switch fabric that can connect and disconnect ports. Unlike hubs, switches only transmit or forwards the data to the destined computer and do not broadcasts data to all its ports.

MODEMS: Modems are devices, which are used to translate digital data into the analog format and vice versa. It performs the two main functions. Modulation and demodulation. Modulated data can travel across the conventional telephone lines.

A modem modulates the signals at the sending end and demodulates at the receiving end. Modems are required for different types of access methods, such ISDN, DSL and 56K data modem. A Modem can be an internal device that plugs into an expansion slot in a system or can be an external device that plugs into a serial or USB port. In Laptops, PCMCIA cards are used for this purpose and many new laptops have built in integrated modems. These specialized devices are designed for use in systems such as handheld computers. In ISPs where large scaled modem are required, rack-mounted modems are used.

ROUTERS: Routers route data between two logically and physically different networks. A Router has the capability to determine the destination address for the data and hence provide the best way for the data to continue its journey. Routers get this capability through software called routing software. Unlike Switches and Bridges, which use hardware configured MAC addresses to determine the destination of the data, a router uses logical network address such as an IP address to make the decision in determining the destination of the data.

GATEWAY: A gateway performs the function of translating the data from one format to another format without changing the data itself. A gateway can be a device, system or software. A computer with two NIC cards can function as a gateway. A Router acts as a gateway, e.g a router that routes the data from a IPX network to a IP network is technically a gateway. The same can be said of translational switch that converts from a Ethernet network to a token ring network.

CABLES: There are two most common types of the cables.

1. 10baseT and 10base2. 10baseT is a four paired cable. 10baseT can be one of two types 1. UTP (unshielded twisted pair) and ..

2. STP (shielded twisted pair. STP is most secure cable covered with the silver coated twisted paper to protect the cable. On the other end Thin 10base2 looks like the copper coaxial cabling that often used to connect TV sets and VCR. 10baseT/Cat5 cables are most commonly used cables to connect computers. It has a connector, (like a telephone connector) called RJ45 connector.

Twisted pair cables are ideal for the small, medium or large networks. My recommendation for using cables for networking is to use 10baseT/Cat5 cables.

Article Source: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard

About The Author: Fiza Ali - www.theitlibrary.com

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