Network hardware

Besides a physical medium, a network operation needs devices that are designed to handle certain network functions. The devices are often called networking devices or equipment and specifically referred to as network components in this guide. Each network component has a name that is related to its functions. For example, a network adapter works to "adapt" a computer message that is going to be sent to a network, to a format that is defined by the network. A network component's functions are not necessarily handled by a specific device. If you browse a networking products catalog, you will find that many products combine several networking components in a device. For example: a router that has a built-in switch, a residential gateway that includes a broadband modem, etc. So, be sure to check the product specification before buying to avoid duplication. You must also check interfaces that are supported by a product. They must be compatible with the ports available in your computers or other devices. A network component's functions may also be performed by a software application. For example, Windows XP provides built-in support for Network Bridging that handle a bridge's functions in a home network with mixed media. There are also built-in or add-on software applications that handle modem, router, or gateway functions. However, the software-only alternative is mostly suitable for small networks.

Bridge-When you have two or more networks with different layer 2 protocols, such
as Ethernet, HomePNA,HomePlug, and wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) you can connect the networks using a bridge. Bridge is also used to split a network into separate segments. This is intended to filter traffic and create an efficient network. A bridge function can be handled by a software application. In Windows XP, when you install two or more network adapters, a Network Bridge is automatically created for you. A Network Bridge icon will appear in the Network Connections folder. However in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), a Network Bridge will be created only after user confirmation. This behavior is in line with SP2 main goal, that's to improve computer and network security.

Hub-Hub is the central connection point in a network. Hub is used in a network that
uses star topology. A sending computer transmits its signal to a hub, the hub then retransmits the signal to all other computers. A passive hub functions as a relay station that receives and retransmits signal. An active hub functions as a repeater that regenerates signal before retransmitting. Using a hub, the network bandwidth (capacity) is shared by all available computers, therefore each computer only uses a portion of bandwidth. That's why hub is mostly used in small networks where there are only a few connected devices or computers. However, hub is not required if there are only two computers in a network. In that case, a direct connection using cable or wireless link can be used to connect both computers.

Switch-Like hub, switch works as the central connection point in a network. However
when a switch receives a packet from a sending computer, it examines the destination

address (i.e. MAC address of the destination computer) from the packet header and retransmits the packet to the destination computer only. That's possible because a switch maintains a table that maps all its ports with all connected devices' MAC addresses. Using a switch, the whole bandwidth can be used by each connected computer. That's why most big networks in which a large amount of data must be transferred at any given time, use a switch instead of hub. Switch is not always a separate device, it is very often integrated with router.

Router-Router functions to forward packets across different networks. Router maintains a

routing table. The routing table contains IP addresses of other networks routers. In a static router the routing table is configured manually, while a dynamic router can communicate with other routers and configure the routing table according to information it receives from other routers. When receiving a packet, a router examines the packet destination IP address and forwards it to its destination by looking at the routing table. Router determines the best path to deliver a packet based on the routing algorithm it uses, usually the path will be the shortest and the most reliable. In publications, router is often named according to its capacity or its position in the network. You may find these terms: edge router, core router, backbone router. And a type of router specially designed for home Internet users, is commonly known as residential gateway.

Network Adapter-Network adapter works as an interface between a computer or device

and a network. You may needEthernet, Wi-Fi, HomePNA, or HomePlug network adapter depending on the type of network your computer is connecting to. Network adapter converts a computer message into electrical or optical signals for transmission across the network. A network adapter is identified in a network through a MAC address that is hardcoded onto the hardware by its manufacturer. Built-in network adapter is integrated with a computer motherboard. Internal network adapter is installed inside a computer on an expansion slot. It is often called NIC (network interface card) usually inserted into aPCI slot in a PC or a mini PCI slot in a notebook. External network adapter is a separate device that is connected to a computer via serial port, parallel port, and mostly USB port. External adapter also comes in the forms of PC Card (PCMCIA card) for notebooks, CF card for PDAs, or SD (Secure Digital) card for consumer electronics (such as digital camera).

Modem-Modem means modulator-demodulator. At the sending end, a

modem modulates a carrier with the data (baseband signal) to prepare it for transmission. At the receiving end, the modulated carrier is demodulated(i.e. converted back to the original shape) and the data is extracted. There are many types of modulation techniques used in modem design, e.g. PCM, QPSK, QAM. A modem also performs other functions, such as digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital conversion, compression/decompression, error correction, and encryption/decryption.

You must connect your computer to a modem or install an internal modem inside your computer when you want to connect to the Internet. The type of modem that you need depends on the Internet access method that you choose. You may need a voiceband modem, a cable modem, an ADSL modem, or a GPRS modem. Your modem will communicate with the corresponding modem at your ISP during an Internet connection, transmit your computer message to the ISP (upstream), and receive Internet content forwarded by the ISP (downstream).

Repeater-Repeater receives signal from a transmitter, amplifies it, and retransmits it to a

receiver. A repeater is put in a network to extend the network to a longer distance or a greater area. There can be more than one repeater between a transmitter and a receiver, however the number of repeaters is not unlimited, because additional repeaters may introduce more interference or noise. Repeater is also known as regenerator. Some vendors name it range expander or line (cable) extender.

Access Point-Access point in wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) functions like a hub or a switch in wired
network. It connects computers or devices together to create a wireless network. Most wireless access points also function as a network bridge that connects the Wi-Fi network to a wired network such as Ethernet. An access point has an interface to a broadband modem or a router that is used when the Wi-Fi network connects to the Internet. Some access points come as a multi-function device that incorporates the functions of switch, bridge, router, or broadband modem. You may have heard about wireless router which is an access point that has a built-in router. Access point is also known as base station. Data transfer rate decreases as the distance from a computer or a device to the access point increases. A Wi-Fi access point provides wireless network coverage within an area of up to about 100 meters outdoor. In typical indoor application, an access point can cover an area of up to about 50 meters. The exact coverage depends on the access point transceiver and antenna design. Physical obstacles and interference from other wireless networks can reduce the wireless signal range. An area that is within a Wi-Fi network coverage is popularly known as hotspot. Many public places such as airports, hotels, and cafs provide public Wi-Fi hotspots that have broadband connection to the Internet. Such hotspots can be accessed by the public for free or with a fee. To connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot, your wireless network adapter must be compatible with the hotspot's access point. Below are things that you need to consider if you want to connect your computer to a hotspot: - most existing hotspots are served by 802.11b or 802.11g access points. You can use either 802.11b or 802.11g adapter. But, you can't expect the best performance of your Wireless G adapter if it is connected to a Wireless B access point. - 802.11g is backward compatible with 802.11b. You can use either 802.11b or 802.11g adapter to connect to 802.11g access point. - 802.11a is not compatible with 802.11b/g. 802.11a network card can only work with

802.11a access point. But fortunately, 802.11a is rarely used in public hotspot. It is mostly used in corporate networks that have high user density. - most public hotspots only support the legacy WEP encryption that was proven susceptible to eavesdropping by hackers with specialized tools. And the fact that some public hotspots even don't turn on the encryption increases the vulnerability of your data. Do some precautionary actions, such as never exchanging sensitive personal or corporate data over such public network, turning off file sharing, using strong password, turning on firewall, and having a regularly updated OS, anti-virus, and anti-spyware. - if you don't want to risk your password or other personal information when accessing the Internet from a public hotspot then you must make sure you only input such sensitive data to secure websites (i.e. those with https://) and use only Web-based e-mail client when reading and sending e-mails. - if you want to connect to your office network or even your home network from a public hotspot, use VPNto put your data in a secure tunnel. - WPA/WPA2 encryption is stronger than WEP. To apply WPA/WPA2, the access point and your Wi-Fi adapter must support WPA/WPA2. But in most installed public Wi-Fi networks, you can't expect to meet a WPA-enabled access point. If you want to use your Wi-Fi network to make a good quality VoIP call or run other realtime and multimedia applications, you'd better choose an access point and network adapters that support QoS and have passed the new WMM certification.

Residential Gateway-Residential gateway is basically a router that is configured to

enable the sharing of a single Internet connection (subscription) by multiple users in a home network. However when you buy a residential gateway, it most likely incorporates other functions such as hub, switch, wireless access point, or bridge. Some residential gateways also already include broadband (cable/DSL) modem. By using a residential gateway to connect your home network to the Internet, you don't need to always turn on a computer as an ICS host. With a residential gateway, you don't have to manually set an IP address for each computer in your network because a residential gateway usually has DHCP server. Using DHCP, IP address for each computer is assigned dynamically by the residential gateway. A residential gateway also keeps your computers anonymous on the Internet because it translates the IP address of each computer to an IP address assigned by the ISP. This function is called Network Address Translation (NAT). Besides, a residential gateway protects your home network from intruders that try to gain access through certain applications in your computers because it has built-in firewall. Residential gateway is also known as broadband router or Internet gateway device (IGD).

Gateway-Gateway functions to connect two completely different networks. It performs

protocol translation. Although gateway is considered a Layer 7 device in many publications, it actually works across the seven layers of theOSI Model. In Internet Telephony, a gateway connects the VoIP network to the PSTN.