Networks

By Avneet Khaira

Hub
A hub is a device that can connect a lot of
computers together in a network to make a LAN
(Local Areas Network)

There are also daisy chain hubs which allows

even more computers to join the network. There
are problems about this though..
This is a daisy chain
hub.

Switch
A switch is a small hardware that can join multiple different
within one Local Areas Network (LAN).
Network switches are nearly identical to network hubs, but a
switch is usually more intelligent (and a bit more pricey)
than a hub.
Compared to hubs, network switches are capable of inspecting
data packets as they are received, looking at the source and
the destination of each individual packet, and forwarding them.

Router
A router is a device that connects two or more networks.
A common use is that it joins home networks (LAN) to the
internet (WAN).
It has to forward the data packets to their destination by the
most efficient route.
To do this, the router has a micro computer inside of it. This will
hold a table in memory that contains a list of all the networks it
is connected to, alongside of the latest information on how busy
a path in the network is- this is called the routing table.
When a packet arrives, the router does the following: Reads,
Looks, Checks and Sends.

Modem
Before broadband internet connections, a lot of computers
were connected to the web via telephone lines.
However, the problem with this is that using the telephone
lines they were not designed to carry voices along the line,
which are analogue signals. They are also not designed for
digital data.
The solution was to use a modem. A modem is a special
device that joins the digital computer to the analogue
telephone line.
A modem is required to convert digital to analogue and
from analogue to digital.

Bridge
A bridge is a bit like a router however, instead of
connecting two networks, it joins two networks together.

A bridge is not as capable as a router and it is less

expensive.
Both networks have to be using the same protocol
(rules).

Network Card
Any computer that is connected to a network, needs to have a
NIC (Network Interface Card)

Most modern computers have this built into the motherboard,

however in some computers you have to add an expansion carda small circuit board.
Some computers have two NICs: one for wired connections, and
one for wireless connections- this uses radio signals instead of
wires.

Server
A server is a computer or device on a network that manages network
resources.
There are many different servers. Such as:

File Server-a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any
user on the network can store files on the server.

Print Server-a computer that manages one or more printers.

Network Server-a computer that manages network traffic.

Database Server-a computer system that processes database queries.

Servers do not perform any other task besides their server tasks.

Proxy Server
A proxy server is set up to share a resource, usually an
internet connection.
It will work as a buffer between the internet and a network
Proxy servers monitor internet usage.
Additional software can be easily installed to block certain
websites.
Schools use proxy servers to block offensive websites/content.

Because a proxy server is between the

internet and a network, there arent any
pictures!