Network Components
and their functions
By Travis Halsell
LTEC 4550 – 020
Technologies to be covered

Hub

Switch

Router

Bridge

Gateway

Firewall

Wireless AP
Hub
Image from:
http://concertaudiovisual.
com.au/hire/image/cache/
data/Network_HUB_with800x800.jpg

A network hub is a device that has multiple ports and is used to transmit data from
one device to another. Copies packets from one port to another.

A hub might be used to connected two or more PCs together so they can
communicate.

Hubs typically range in price anywhere from $20 to $60
Image from:
https://www.cablewholesa
le.com/support/technical_
articles/networks_untangle
d_1.php
Switch
Image from:
http://www.itgeared.com/
images/content/1344-2.jpg
 Not to be confused with a hub, a Switch connects multiple devices together on a network.
The difference between the two are that instead of copying packets, the switch forwards and
filters data from one location to another. Switches are inherently faster and can handle more
devices.
 A switch might be used to connect multiple PCs and devices on a network such as printers and
IP phones.
 Switches typically range in price anywhere from $20 to $8,000+
Image from:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/kODPrei31eM/UdwFrPFs9UI
/AAAAAAAAAWA/hvnhCw2
HakY/s1600/network_switc
h.jpg
Router
Image from:
http://ishopee.com/bangal
ore/2183-297-large/ciscolinksys-wrt54gl-wireless-glinux-based-router-price-inindia.jpg

A router forwards data packets through a network
much like a network switch, however Routers are
located at the network gateway where two or more
networks meet. Additionally, routers can act as a
firewall.

A router is most commonly used at the consumer
level for home networks that connect to the
internet.

Routers can range anywhere from $30 to $400
Image from:
http://www.microsoft.com
/library/media/1033/wind
owsxp/images/using/netwo
rking/setup/68573-routerdiagram.gif
Bridge
Image from:
http://techneeducation.bl
ogspot.com/2010/04/introd
uction-to-networkconcepts-i.html

A bridge is essentially what it sounds like. It
provides a bridge or connection between two LAN
segments.

A network bridge might be used when you have a
wireless LAN and a wired LAN. The bridge would
allow communication between a wireless device
and a wired device.

Bridges can come in either software or hardware
form. Hardware bridges can range in price
anywhere from $40 to $200+
Image from:
https://upload.wikimedia.
org/wikipedia/commons/th
umb/e/e8/Network_Bridgin
g.png/400pxNetwork_Bridging.png
Gateway

A network gateway is a system that is capable of
joining two networks together that use different
protocols.

A gateway is most commonly used when connecting
a Local Area Network to the internet.

Gateways can come in either software or hardware
form and typically range in price from $100 to
$16,000+
Image from:
http://www.ssbt.net/sites
/default/files/XBT2GATEWAY.jpg
Image from:
https://beginlinux.files.wo
rdpress.com/2008/08/gate
way.png
Firewall
Image from:
http://images.pcworld.com
/howto/graphics/169797zywallusg100_original.jpg
 A firewall is a network security device that filters
unwanted traffic from entering the network.
 Firewalls are typically used on any network that
connects to the internet.
 Firewalls can come in either software or hardware
form and typically range in price from $100 to
$14,000+
Image from:
http://www.nastechgroup.
com/userfiles/image/3/567
934518.gif
Wireless AP

A wireless AP is a device that allows
wireless devices to connect to the
network.

Wireless Access points are used in any
situation where the administrators want
their network to be accessed wirelessly.

Wireless Access points range in price
anywhere from $40 to $3000+
Image from:
http://www.cisco.com/ass
ets/prod/wl/img/ap600oe_
large_photo.jpg
Image from:
http://www.smithonvoip.c
om/wpcontent/uploads/2007/07/
access_point.gif
Network Diagram
Internet
Firewall
Wireless
Device
Gateway
Router
Wireless
Device
Switch
Bridge
Wireless AP
Wireless
Device
Wired
Device
Wired
Device
Wired
Device
Hub
Network
Printer