Hardware, Software Systems and Networks

CT014-1

Networks and Devices

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, YOU should be able to:
Understand the need for internetworking devices Understand the functionality of internetworking devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Topics we will cover

Introduction to internetworking devices Functions of internetworking devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Networks and Devices

Linking LANs to form a network would require internetworking devices These devices are used to overcome obstacles Devices are divided into four categories
Repeaters Bridges Routers Gateway

Each of these devices interact with different protocols at different layers of the OSI model

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Networks and Devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Networks and Devices

A signal may experience attenuation as the distance it has to travel increases. This is not acceptable when networks reach distances covering several kilometers. The amount of attenuation that affect the signals along this channels would introduce very high data corruption rates.

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Networks and Devices

Repeater or a regenerator operates on the physical layer Signals can only carry information and travel a fixed distance Receives the signal, regenerates it and puts a refreshed copy onto the link Extends the physical length of the network When a repeater receives a weak or corrupted signal it just creates a copy at the original strength

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Networks and Devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Networks and Devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

Networks and Devices

A bridge handle data packets in a more intelligent manner than a repeater. Where a repeater only has the capability to increase the range of a network, a bridge can segment a network.

Very simply, it divides a network in different partitions so as to facilitate functions of security and privacy.

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

10

Networks and Devices

An amplifier amplifies anything that is fed into it A repeater does not amplify the signal only regenerates Positioned at the physical layer

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

11

Networks and Devices

Operates at the physical layer Some hubs amplifies electrical signals and broadcasts this all over the network
Passive Hubs
do not amplify packets

Active Hubs
Does amplification Does the function of a repeater as well

Intelligent Hubs
Does the same function of an active hub Extra feature stackable

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

12

Networks and Devices

An IP address serves to both identify the network of which a node belongs to and the node from amongst the network.

The netid serves to differentiate the networks from one another on the internet.
The hostid serves to differentiate the different nodes on a network.

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

13

Networks and Devices

operates at the physical and data link layer divide a large network into segments keeps traffic for each segment separate useful for congestion control and isolation of problems regenerates the frame and forwards it to the correct segment

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

14

Networks and Devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

15

Networks and Devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

16

Networks and Devices

Routers have yet another level of intelligence where it is still capable of determining the sink of a packet.

If it fails to find the sink of a packet in the networks it is connected into, a router is capable of determining which of its connection would be the best one to relay the packet.

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

17

Networks and Devices

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

18

Networks and Devices

An intelligence of this level would require a logic to match it. A router should have the capability to choose which route is best for a packet to reach its destination. To this end, there are many routing techniques to determine which is the best route for a data packet from source to sink.

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

19

Networks and Devices

provides the same function as a bridge with more capability checks addresses

buffers incoming packet

operates on the data link layer

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

20

Networks and Devices

potentially operates in all seven layers

protocol converter

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

21

Review Questions 1. How is a repeater different from an amplifier 2. What is the function of a gateway
3. What is the unique feature of a router that other devices do not have

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

22

Summary of Main Teaching Points 1. Internetworking devices connect networks. 2. A repeater is a device that regenerates signals. 3. A bridge and switch operates at the data link layer. 4. A router operates on the network layer.

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

23

Question and Answer Session

Q&A
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 3 24

What we will cover next

Topic and Structure of next session Network and Topology

CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks

Chapter 3

25