Chapter two
working on network hardware
A computer network consists of many hardware
components.
Some of these components are :-
NIC
Cables
Repeater
Hub
Bridge
Switch
router
Computer Networking 1
NIC(network interface card)
Connectivity devices that enable workstations,
servers, printers, or other nodes to receive and
transmit data over network media
Usually contain data transceiver
Belong to Physical and Data Link layers
Apply data signals to wire
Assemble and disassemble data frames
Interpret physical addressing information
Determine which node has right to transmit data at any
given instant
Computer Networking 2
Repeaters and Hubs
Repeaters: simplest type of connectivity devices that
regenerate a digital signal
Operate in Physical layer
Cannot improve or correct bad or erroneous signal
Regenerate signal over entire segment
One input port and one output port
Suited only to bus topology networks
Computer Networking 3
Hub
Hub: repeater with more than one output port
Multiple data ports
Operate at Physical layer
Uplink port: allows connection to another hub or other
connectivity device
On Ethernet networks, can serve as central connection
point of star or star-based hybrid topology
On Token Ring networks, hubs are called Multistation
Access Units (MAUs)
Computer Networking 4
Hubs (continued):
Connected devices share same amount of bandwidth
and same collision domain
Logically or physically distinct Ethernet network segment on
which all participating devices must detect and accommodate
data collisions
Types of hubs:
Passive
Intelligent
Standalone
Stackable
Computer Networking 5
Bridges
Connect two network segments
Analyze incoming frames
Make decisions about where to direct them based on each frame’s
MAC address
Operate at Data Link layer
Protocol independent
Can move data more rapidly than traditional routers
Extend Ethernet network without extending collision
domain or segment
Can be programmed to filter out certain types of frames
Computer Networking 6
Switches
Subdivide network into smaller logical pieces
(segments)
Can operate at levels 2, 3, or 4 of OSI model
Multiport bridges
Most have internal processor, OS, memory, and several
ports
Each port on switch acts like bridge
Each connected device effectively receives own
dedicated channel
Computer Networking 7
Installing a switch
Computer Networking 8
Routers
Multiport connectivity devices that direct data
between nodes on a network
Can integrate LANs and WANs
Running at different transmission speeds
Using variety of protocols
Reads incoming packet’s logical addressing information
Determines where to deliver packet
Determines shortest path to that network
Operate at Network layer
Protocol-dependent
Computer Networking 9
Router Features and Functions
Typical router has internal processor, OS,
memory, various input and output jacks, and
management console interface
Modular router: multiple slots to hold different
interface cards or other devices
All routers can:
Connect dissimilar networks
Interpret Layer 3 addressing and other information
Determine the best path for data to follow
Reroute traffic
Computer Networking 10
Router Features and Functions (continued)
Other router functions:
Filter out broadcast transmissions
Prevent certain types of traffic from getting to a network
Support simultaneous local and remote connectivity
Provide high network fault tolerance through redundant
components
Monitor network traffic and report statistics
Diagnose internal or other connectivity problems
Computer Networking 11
Router Features and Functions (continued)
Interior router directs data between nodes on
autonomous LANs
Exterior router directs data between nodes
external to given autonomous LAN
Border routers connect autonomous LAN with a
WAN
Static routing: network administrator programs
router to use specific paths between nodes
Dynamic routing automatically calculates best
path between two nodes
Accumulates information in routing table
Computer Networking 12
Router Features and Functions (continued)
Computer Networking 13
Gateways
Connect two systems using different formatting,
communications protocols, or architecture
Repackage information to be read by another system
Operates at multiple OSI Model layers
E-mail gateway
Internet gateway
LAN gateway
Voice/data gateway
Firewall
Computer Networking 14
