The Network Devices Function

1. A Router is used to route data packets between two networks. It reads the information in each
packet to tell where it is going. If it is destined for an immediate network it has access to, it will
strip the outer packet (IP packet for example), readdress the packet to the proper ethernet
address, and transmit it on that network. If it is destined for another network and must be sent
to another router, it will re-package the outer packet to be received by the next router and send
it to the next router.
2. A Repeater operates at the physical layer. Its job is to regenerate the signal over the same
network before the signal becomes too weak or corrupted so as to extend the length to which
the signal can be transmitted over the same network. An important point to be noted about
repeaters is that they do no amplify the signal. When the signal becomes weak, they copy the
signal bit by bit and regenerate it at the original strength. It is a 2 port device.
3. An Amplifier are used in wireless communications and broadcasting, and in audio equipment of
all kinds. They can be categorized as either weak-signal amplifiers or power amplifiers.
An amplifier is an electronic device that increases the voltage, current, or power of a signal.
4. An Hub and Switch apparently look similar, they have significant differences. Both can be used
to realize physical star topology, the hubs works like a logical bus, because the same signal is
repeated on all the ports. The bandwidth is shared by all the stations connected to all the ports.
On the other hand, in case of a switch, each port has dedicated bandwidth. Therefore, switches
can be used to increase the bandwidth of a hub-based network by replacing the hubs by
switches.
5. A Bridge operates at data link layer. A bridge is a repeater, with add on functionality of filtering
content by reading the MAC addresses of source and destination. It is also used for
interconnecting two LANs working on the same protocol. It has a single input and single output
port, thus making it a 2 port device. The device that can be used to interconnect two separate
LANs is known as a bridge. It is commonly used to connect two similar or dissimilar LANs.
6. A Brouter functions as a filter that allows some data into the local network and redirects
unknown data to the other network. Brouter is also known as bridging router is a device which
combines features of both bridge and router. It can work either at data link layer or at network
layer. Working as router, it is capable of routing packets across networks and working as bridge,
it is capable of filtering local area network traffic.
7. A Gateway can translate information between different network data formats or network
architectures. It can translate TCP/IP to AppleTalk so computers supporting TCP/IP can
communicate with Apple brand computers. Most gateways operate at the application layer, but
can operate at the network or session layer of the OSI model. A gateway, as the name suggests,
is a passage to connect two networks together that may work upon different networking
models. They basically works as the messenger agents that take data from one system, interpret
it, and transfer it to another system. Gateways are also called protocol converters and can
operate at any network layer. Gateways are generally more complex than switch or router.
The Network Devices has a different kinds, types, function and capability. So that we can compare it
mostly by its feature, appearance and specially its function.

The Router's primary responsibility is to direct (route) data to the correct receiver. Almost all
routers currently have wireless capability built in, but this does not actually have anything to do with the
"router" part.

While, Repeater, extender, or booster is a device that forwards wireless signals from the router
to cover a larger area, such as multiple floors of a house. The repeater creates a new network based on
signals from the originating network, and the devices that connect to the repeater are thus on a
separate network.

While, Amplifier is an electronic device that increases the voltage, current, or power of a

While, Hubs and Switches are fundamentally used in networks that use twisted pair cabling to
connect devices. They are designed to transmit the packets to the other appended devices without
altering any of the transmitted packets received. They act as pathways to direct electrical signals to
travel along. Hub works by sending the data to all the ports on the device whereas a switch transfers it
only to that port which is connected to the destination device.

While, Bridge is a computer networking device that builds the connection with the other bridge
networks which use the same protocol. It works at the Data Link layer of the OSI Model and connects
the different networks together and develops communication between them.

While, Brouters are the combination of both the bridge and routers. They take up the
functionality of the both networking devices serving as a bridge  when forwarding data between
networks, and serving as a  router when routing data to individual systems. Brouter functions as a filter
that allows some data into the local network and redirects unknown data to the other network.

While, Gateway is a device which is used to connect multiple networks and passes packets from
one packet to the other network. Acting as the ‘gateway’ between different networking systems or
computer programs, a gateway is a device which forms a link between them. It allows the computer
programs, either on the same computer or on different computers to share information across the
network through protocols. A router is also a gateway, since it interprets data from one network
protocol to another.