Networking Devices:

1. HUB
2. MODEM
3. SWITCH
4. ROUTER
5. REPEATER
6. GATEWAY
1. HUB –
 It is a network device which has multiple port that is used to connect multiple computers in a
network.
 All the information send to the HUB is automatically send to each port to every device.
 It is less expensive and less complicated.
 HUB is generally used to connect computers in a LAN.
 HUB is half duplex, means sending and receiving message not occur simultaneously.

 Active Hub It amplifies the signals and passes from one connected device to another. These hubs are
working as repeaters to boost up the signals.
 Passive Hub It simply passes signals from one connected device to another without making any
changes.

Advantage :
 HUB broadcast the message to all nodes which connected with hub.
 It is less expensive.
 Easy installation
 Robust means failure of any node not provide any effect in networking.

Disadvantage :
 If hub fail then whole network fail
 User can’t send personal message through hub
 HUB doesn’t provide any security
 HUB can’t support full duplex transmission
2. MODEM –
Digital Signal Analog Signal Digital Signal
SENDER MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
RECEIVER

A modem is a network hardware that connects your devices to the Internet using cables. A modem acts as a
digital translator, taking an information signal from your cable, fiber or phone lines and making it
accessible to your computer.
Modem stands for Modulator – Demodulator.
Modulator convert digital signal to analog signal
Demodulator convert analog signal to digital signal
Types:
Internal Modem - It refers to the modem that is fixed within a computer, e.g. dial-up and wireless.
External Modem - A modem that resides in a self-contained box outside the computer system, e.g. USB
modem, Cable modem.
3. REPEATER –
Repeaters are network devices that amplify or regenerate an incoming signal before retransmitting it. They
are also known as signal boosters.
When signals travel in the network after travelling some distance the intensity of signal become low, to
amplify this weak signal repeater is used.
Note: It is working as a amplifier but there is a difference between amplifier and repeater that amplifier
increase the intensity or strength of signal more than original like original signal value is x then after
amplifying it can become 2x, 4x but repeater not increase the strength of signal more than original, so it
regenerate signal.
Types of Repeaters
According to the types of signals that they regenerate, repeaters can be classified into two categories −

 Amplifier – It amplifies all incoming signals and any concurrent noise.

 Signal Repeater – It amplifies signals without noise.

Advantages:
 Repeaters are simple to install and can easily extend the length or the coverage area of networks.
 They are cost effective.
 Increase the signal performance
 Extend the length of signal
Disadvantages:
 Repeaters cannot connect dissimilar networks.
 They cannot differentiate between actual signal and noise.
 They cannot reduce network traffic or congestion.
 They cannot filter the signals.
4. ROUTER
It is a network device which works as a traffic controller, forwards data from one network to another. It
choose a congestion free path through which the data packet will travel. A router is a network device that
can receive the data, analyse it and transmit it to other networks.
A router connects a local area network to the internet. Compared to a hub or a switch, a router has advanced
capabilities as it can analyse the data being carried over a network, decide or alter how it is packaged, and
send it to another network of a different type. For example, data has been divided into packets of a certain
size. Suppose, these packets are to be carried over a different type of network which cannot handle bigger
packets, in such a case, the data is to be repackaged as smaller packets and then sent over the network by a
router
Advantages:
1. It provide connection between two dissimilar types of network.
2. Transmission rate is very high.
3. It internally uses algorithm to find out congestion free path
4. It provides both wired and wireless facility.
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive
2. Complex to maintain
3. Security issue

5. SWITCH
It is a multiport network device that connects multiple computers together in the network. It is mainly used
to send private message to particular node in network.

Switch is similar to Hub but more intelligent. It easily identify that which device is connected with which
port by using MAC address that’s why it delivered message to particular node. When data arrives, the switch
extracts the destination address from the data packet and looks it up in a table to see where to send the packet.
Thus it sends signals to only selected devices instead of sending to all. It can forward multiple packets at the
same time. A switch does not forward the signals which are noisy or corrupted. It drops such signals and asks
the sender to resend it.

It is supports unicast (one-to-one), multicast (one-to-many) and broadcast (one-to-all) communications.

Advantage:
1. It is generally used to unicast the message.
2. It provide more security than Hub.
3. It support full duplex transmission mode.
4. If a node fail there will be no effect on other node of network.
Disadvantage:
1. If Switch fail then whole network fail.
2. Expensive
Note: MAC Address
MAC stands for Media Access Control address, also known as physical address or hardware address
or machine address which is unique and permanent.
MAC address format – MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS
MM – Show manufacturer
SS – Show vendor which provide service
3C:D9:2B:6F:2B:9C
TO FIND OUT VENDOR BY MAC ADDRESS - Wireshark · OUI Lookup Tool

6. Gateway
A gateway is a network hardware that is used to connect two dissimilar networks operating with different
transmission protocols. It acts as GATE the entry – exit point for a WAN – LAN network since all traffic that
flows across the networks should pass through the gateway.

 Gateway is located at the boundary of a network and manages all data that inflows or outflows from that
network.
 It forms a passage between two different networks operating with different transmission protocols.
  The feature that differentiates a gateway from other network devices is that it can operate at any layer
of the OSI model.
 It also stores information about the routing paths of the communicating networks.

7. Network Interface Card (NIC) or Ethernet Card –

A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component without which a computer cannot be connected over
a network. It is also called network interface controller, network adapter or LAN adapter.
Purpose
 NIC allows both wired and wireless communications.
 NIC allows communications between computers connected via local area network (LAN) as well as
communications over WAN network through Internet Protocol (IP).

Types of NIC Cards

NIC cards are of two types −

Internal Network Cards

In internal networks cards, motherboard has a slot for the network card where it can be inserted. It requires
network cables to provide network access.

External Network Cards

In desktops and laptops that do not have an internal NIC, external NICs are used. External network cards are
of two types: Wireless and USB based. Wireless network card needs to be inserted into the motherboard,
however no network cable is required to connect to the network. They are useful while traveling or accessing
a wireless signal.
 RJ 45 Connector –
RJ stands for Registered Jack and 45 refers to listing number and is standardised network interface to connect
voice and data communication equipments.

8. Bridge - The bridge is a networking device that connects the larger LAN networks with the group
of smaller LAN networks.
Functions of Bridges in the Network
 The bridge is used to divide LANs into multiple segments.
 To control the traffic in the network.