What are the Network Devices

Network consist of different devices each has its own function. some of the network devices are PC,Server,Network Card ( NIC ),Hub,Bridge, Repeater, Switch,Brouter,Router,Firewall,Ethernet cable,Fiber Cable etc... 

PC:- Personal Computer  is intended to be operated directly by an end-user for data processing, Software applications   development, Personal computers may be connected to a Local Area Network ( LAN ), either by a cable or a wireless connection.

Personal Computer

SERVER:- A server is a computer that provides services to other computers . it is dedicated to running one or more services.Depending on the computing service that it offers it could be a database server, file server, mail server, print server, web server, gaming server, or some other kind of server.

Server

Network Interface Card ( NIC ):- is also commonly referred to as an Ethernet card and network adapter and is an expansion card that enables a computer to connect to a network such as a home network or the Internet using an Ethernet cable with a RJ-45 connector.

Network Interface Card

HUB:- A Hub connects all the node ( work stations )  of a network using Twisted Pair Ethernet cables. In a Hub, the signals received on one port are transmitted to all other ports, and vice versa. All nodes  connected using a Hub can listen to one another all the time. If two or more workstations try to transmit during the same time, it results in collision of signals, and the signals are lost altogether.

HUB

BRIDGE:- Bridges are used to divide larger networks into smaller sections. They do this by sitting between two physical network segments and managing the flow of data between the two.By looking at the MAC address of the devices connected to each segment, bridges can elect to forward the data (if they believe that the destination address is on another interface), or block it from crossing (if they can verify that it is on the interface from which it came).

BRIDGE

SWITCH:- A network switch is networking device that connects network devices or network segments. Devices connect to switches via twisted-pair cabling, one cable for each device. switch receives a message from any device that connects  to it and transmit the message to only to that device for the message was meant.  It does this by learning the MAC address of the devices attached to it, and then by matching the destination MAC address in the data it receives. this make switch more intelligent than hub.Switch maintain CAM ( Content addressable memory )table that maps individual MAC address on the network.

SWITCH

REPEATER:-Network repeaters regenerate incoming electrical, wireless or optical signals. With physical media like Ethernet or Wi-Fi, so that signal can cover longer distance. Data transmissions can only span a limited distance before the quality of the signal degrades.

REPEATER

ROUTER:- A Router is a device that connects Two or more different networks. it forwards the data packet between networks. When data comes form one network it reads the address information in the packet to determine its ultimate destination. Then using information in its routing table or routing policy it directs the packet to the next network on its journy. Routes some times called as gateways.

Functions of Router --

*Best path selection

*Packet switching

*Packet Forwarding

*Restrict Broadcasting

*Act as Gateway

ROUTER