Network Devices

Computer Network
Computer Network is a collection of separate but interconnected
computers, connected by single technology.

It is a combination of hardware and software that enable two entities

to communicate.

Common communication protocol is used over digital

interconnections.
Hub
HUB
It is a device at the center of a star topology network.

Network hubs are categorized as Layer 1 devices in the OSI reference model.

 hub is a node that broadcasts data to every computer or Ethernet-based device

connected to it.
Hub does not have memory.

It has one collision domain and one broadcast domain.

Hub is cheaper than switch.

Hubs cannot provide routing capabilities or other advanced network services.

 Hubs are basically multiport repeaters.

Communication in a hub is half duplex.

They are devices that cannot decode the data packets received by them because
they lack circuitry and logic to decode the data packets.
Hubs cannot determine which host must receive the data packet.
They simply repeat the electronic signals received on one interface to all other
interfaces on the hub, thus all the hosts connected to the hub receive the data
packet.
Hubs have a fatal issue of collision. if two hosts transmit data packets at the
same time, they would “collide” and be rendered useless. The hosts must
retransmit the packets again.
SWITCH
Switch
 Switches refer to the networking devices that operate at an OSI model's layer 2 or data
link layer.
 They establish connections between networked devices and employ packet switching to
transmit, receive, or forward data packets or frames over the network.
 A switch is used in a wired network to connect to other devices using Ethernet cables.
 Wireless-only networks do not use switches because devices such as wireless routers
and adapters communicate directly with one another.
 It uses MAC addresses (addresses of medium access control sublayer) to send data
packets to selected destination ports.
 It uses packet switching technique to receive and forward data packets from the source to
the destination device.
It supports unicast (one-to-one), multicast (one-to-many) and broadcast (one-to-
all) communications.
It has separate collision domain but common broadcast domain.

Transmission mode is full duplex, i.e. communication in the channel occurs in

both the directions at the same time.

Due to this, collisions do not occur.

Switches are active devices, equipped with network software and network
management capabilities.
Switches can perform some error checking before forwarding data to the destined
port.
The number of ports is higher – 24/48.
Types of Switches
Unmanaged Switch −
These are inexpensive switches commonly used in home networks
and small businesses.
They can be set up by simply plugging in to the network, after which
they instantly start operating.
When more devices needs to be added, more switches are simply
added by this plug and play method.
They are referred to as u managed since they do not require to be
configured or monitored.
Managed Switch −
These are costly switches that are used in organisations with large
and complex networks, since they can be customized to augment the
functionalities of a standard switch.

The augmented features may be QoS (Quality of Service) like higher

security levels, better precision control and complete network
management.
Despite their cost, they are preferred in growing organizations due to
their scalability and flexibility.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is used for

configuring managed switches
LAN Switch −
Local Area Network (LAN) switches connects devices in the internal
LAN of an organization.

They are also referred as Ethernet switches or data switches.

 These switches are particularly helpful in reducing network

congestion or bottlenecks.

They allocate bandwidth in a manner so that there is no overlapping

of data packets in a network.
PoE Switch −
Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches are used in PoE Gigabit
Ethernets.

PoE technology combine data and power transmission over the same
cable so that devices connected to it can receive both electricity as
well as data over the same line.

PoE switches offer greater flexibility and simplifies the cabling

connections.
Bridges
A bridge breaks up collision domains but creates one large broadcast
domain.
They use hardware addresses to filter the network.
In the OSI model, bridging is performed in the data link layer (layer
2).
A network bridge is a computer networking device that creates a single,
aggregate network from multiple communication networks or network segments.
This function is called network bridging.
Bridging is distinct from routing.
Routing allows multiple networks to communicate independently and yet remain
separate, whereas bridging connects two separate networks as if they were a
single network.
Routers
A router is a layer 3 or network layer device.
It connects different networks together and sends data packets from one network to
another.
A router can be used both in LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area
Networks).
It transfers data in the form of IP packets.
In order to transmit data, it uses IP address mentioned in the destination field of the IP
packet.
Routers have a routing table in it that is refreshed periodically according to the changes
in the network.
 In order to transmit data packets, it consults the table and uses a routing protocol.

Routers are more expensive than other networking devices like hubs,bridges and
switches.

Routers are manufactured by some popular companies like −

Cisco, D-Link, HP, 3Com, Juniper, Nortel
WLAN devices
These devices connect wireless devices such as computers, printers,
and tablets to the network.
Since pretty much every device manufactured today has a wireless
NIC, you just need to configure a basic access point (AP) to connect to
a traditional wired network.
Access Points or APs
These devices allow wireless devices to connect to a wired network and
extend a collision domain from a switch, and are typically in their own
broadcast domain or what we’ll refer to as a Virtual LAN (VLAN).
An AP can be a simple standalone device, but today they are usually
managed by wireless controllers either in house or through the internet.
Access points work in layer 2 of the OSI model.
It acts as an interconnection between WLAN and fixed wired connection.
Aps acts as central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio signals.
It come as a standalone or independent unit.
It can be a component of a router.
WLAN Controllers
These are the devices that network administrators or network operations centers use to
manage access points in medium to large to extremely large quantities.

The WLAN controller automatically handles the configuration of wireless access points
and was typically used only in larger enterprise systems.

However, with Cisco’s acquisition of Meraki systems, you can easily manage a small to
medium sized wireless network via the cloud using their simple to configure web
controller system.
Firewalls
These devices are network security systems that monitor and control the
incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules,
and is usually an Intrusion Protection System (IPS).
A firewall generally works at layer 3 and 4 of the OSI model. Layer 3 is the
Network Layer where IP works and Layer 4 is the Transport Layer, where TCP and
UDP function.
Many firewalls today have advanced up the OSI layers and can even understand
Layer 7 – the Application Layer.
Most firewalls can keep track of the states of TCP to prevent unwanted traffic
from the Internet from entering your private LAN.
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) firewall typically establishes a barrier
between a trusted, secure internal network and the Internet, which is not secure
or trusted.