Computer networks

-Networking components
 Hubs
• A common connection point for devices in a
network
• Hubs are commonly used to connect segments of
a LAN .
• A hub contains multiple ports
• Sends data to all connected devices(no filtering)
• Connect two lans
• Support 8, 12 or 24 RJ-45 ports
• Used in star or ring topology
• A passive hub serves simply as a conduit for the
data, enabling it to go from one device (or
segment) to another
• Types of Hub
• Active Hub:- These are the hubs which have their
own power supply and can clean, boost and relay
the signal along with the network. I
• It serves both as a repeater as well as wiring
centre. These are used to extend the maximum
distance between nodes.
• Passive Hub :- These are the hubs which collect
wiring from nodes and power supply from active
hub. These hubs relay signals onto the network
without cleaning and boosting them and can’t be
used to extend the distance between nodes.
Switchs
• A switch is a data link layer device.
• A switch ( switch ing hub ) in the context of networking refers to a device
which filters and forwards data packets across a network
• . Unlike a standard hub which simply replicates what it receives on one
port onto all the other ports, a switching hub keeps a record of the MAC
addresses of the devices attached to it
• When the switch receives a data packet, it forwards the packet directly to
the recipient device by looking up the MAC address.
• Two types
• Store-and-forward: switch receives the whole a frame on the input line,
buffers it briefly , performs error checking, then routes it to the
appropriate output line (similar to bridge). Buffering will cause some delay
• Cut-through: based on the fact that the destination address appears at
the beginning of the MAC frame, so once the address is recognized the
frame is directly sent to the appropriate output line if the output buffer is
empty (no need to buffer it). no buffering delay NO ERROR CHECKING
 Bridges
• Acts on the data link layer (MAC address level)
• connects two LANS having the same protocol – (e.g. Ethernet or
Token ring)
• LAN A Bridge LAN B Data not destined for other network is
prevented from passing over the bridge.
• In telecommunication networks, a bridge is a product that connects
a local area network ( LAN ) to another local area network that uses
the same protocol (for example, Ethernet or Token Ring ).
• You can envision a bridge as being a device that decides whether a
message from you to someone else is going to the local area
network in your building or to someone on the local area network
in the building across the street.
• A bridge examines each message on a LAN, those known to be
within the same LAN, and forwarding those known to be on the
other interconnected LAN (or LANs).
• Bridge frame handling is done in software
• Bridge can check the destination address of frame and can decide
from which outgoing port the frame should be send out
• Transparent bridge :
• It is invisible to the other devices on the network. Their
function is to block or forward data, based on the MAC
address;
• Translational bridge:
• It can convert from one networking system to another.
it translates the data it receives. They are useful for
connecting two different networks, such as Ethernet and
Token Ring networks.
• Source-Route bridge:
• They were designed by IBM for use on Token Ring
networks. The source-route bridge derives its name
from the fact that the entire route of the frame is
embedded within the frame. This allows the bridge to make
specific decisions about how the frame should be
forwarded through the network.
Routers
• A router is a device like a switch that routes data packets
based on their IP addresses.
• Router is mainly a Network Layer device.
• Routers normally connect LANs and WANs together and
have a dynamically updating routing table based on which
they make decisions on routing the data packets
• . Router divide broadcast domains of hosts connected
through it
• Routers check ip addresses ,if data packet is sent
determines if it is meant for its own network it receives it
but, if is not meant for its own network it sends it off to
another network
• Connection of different networks
• Works in physical ,datalink,network layer
• It is an internetworking device
 Gateaways
• Gateways are devices which connect two are
morenetworks that use different protocols.
• A gateway is used to convert two
differentenvironment, such as Frame Relay Network &
an X.25network.
• For e.g. a gate way can receive email message sin one
format in convert them into another format.
Gateway can operate at all seven layer of OSI model.
• They are similar in function to routers but they
aremore powerful and intelligent devices. Cont...
• Disadvantages: Since Gateway perform data
conversion so they are slower in speed
• Gateway are very expensive device.