Network Components
David Blakeley
LTEC 4550
HUB
• A common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are
commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains
multiple ports. When apacket arrives at one port, it is copied to the
other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.
• The range of cost for this device is $15 - $20,000
HUB cont.
SWITCH
• A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple
computers together within one local area network (LAN).
• Network switches work by When a switch is installed into a network, it
allows all the devices on the network--including printers, computers,
hubs and any other equipment--to communicate with one another.
Switches are often important, especially in home networks, as they
are a key component in allowing connected machines to exchange
mail and messages with one another, and allow client computers to
store files on a file server.
• Prices range $9 - $79,000
SWITCH cont.
ROUTER
•
A router is a device that joins networks together and routes traffic
between them. A router will have at least two network cards (NICs),
one physically connected to one network and the other physically
connected to another network. A router can connect any number of
networks together providing it has a dedicated NIC for each network.
• Routers are used to route packets of data from the internet.
ROUTER cont.
• Router prices range from $15 - $338
BRIDGE
• An Ethernet network bridge is a device which connects two different
local area networks together. Both networks must connect using the
same Ethernet protocol. Bridges can also be used to add remote
computers to a LAN. Many bridges can connect multiple computers
or other compatible devices with or without wires.
• Prices range from $19.95 - $4,600
BRIDGE cont.
GATEWAY
• A network gateway is an internetworking system capable of joining
together two networks that use different base protocols. A network
gateway can be implemented completely in software, completely in
hardware, or as a combination of both. Depending on the types of
protocols they support, network gateways can operate at any level of
the OSI model.
• Because a network gateway, by definition, appears at the edge of a
network, related capabilities like firewalls tend to be integrated with it.
On home networks, a broadband router typically serves as the
network gateway although ordinary computers can also be
configured to perform equivalent functions.
• Prices range from $10 - $16,000
GATEWAY cont.
FIREWALL
• A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or
from a private network. You can implement a firewall in either
hardware or software form, or a combination of both. Firewalls
prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks
connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering
or leaving the intranet (i.e., the local network to which you are
connected) must pass through the firewall, which examines each
message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security
criteria.
• Firewalls range in price from $80 - $25,600
FIREWALL cont.
WIRELESS ACCESS POINT
• Wireless access points (APs or WAPs) are specially configured
nodes on wireless local area networks (WLANs). Access points act as
a central transmitter and receiver of WLAN radio signals.
• Access points used in home or small business networks are generally
small, dedicated hardware devices featuring a built-in network
adapter, antenna, and radio transmitter. Access points support Wi-Fi
wireless communication standards.
• Prices range from $13 - $9,300
WIRELESS ACCESS POINT cont.