Network Tools, equipment and

testing devices

INTRODUCTION
Different networking devices have different roles to play in a computer
network. These network devices also work at different segments of a computer
network performing different works. In our new series after network topology,
we talk about different networking devices like a switch, router, hub, bridge
etc.
Hubs
Hubs enable computers on a network to communicate. Each computer plugs
into the hub with an Ethernet cable, and information sent from one computer
to another passes through the hub. A hub can't identify the source or
intended destination of the information it receives, so it sends the
information to all of the computers connected to it, including the one that
sent it. A hub can send or receive information, but it can't do both at the same
time. This makes hubs slower than switches. Hubs are the least complex and
the least expensive of these devices.
Two categories:

• Active Hub: They are smarter than the passive hubs. They not only provide the
path for the data signals in fact they regenerate, concentrate and strengthen
the signals before sending them to their destinations. Active hubs are also
termed as ‘repeaters’.

• Passive Hub: They are more like point contact for the wires to build in the
physical network. They have nothing to do with modifying the signals.

Switches
Switches work the same way as hubs, but they can identify the intended destination of
the information that they receive, so they send that information to only the computers
that are supposed to receive it. Switches can send and receive information at the same
time, so they can send information faster than hubs can. If your home network has
four or more computers or you want to use your network for activities that require
passing a lot of information between computers (such as playing network games or
sharing music), you should probably use a switch instead of a hub. Switches cost a
little more than hubs.
Bridges

A 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. It connects two local-area networks; two physical LANs into larger
logical LAN or two segments of the same LAN that use the same protocol.
Apart from building up larger networks, bridges are also used to segment larger
networks into smaller portions. The bridge does so by placing itself between the two
portions of two physical networks and controlling the flow of the data between them.
Bridges nominate to forward the data after inspecting into the MAC address of the
devices connected to every segment. The forwarding of the data is dependent on the
acknowledgement of the fact that the destination address resides on some other
interface. It has the capacity to block the incoming flow of data as well. Today
Learning bridges have been introduced that build a list of the MAC addresses on the
interface by observing the traffic on the network. This is a leap in the development
field of manually recording of MAC addresses.
Ethernet switches are seen to be gaining trend as compared to bridges. They are
succeeding on the account of provision of logical divisions and segments in the
networking field. In fact, switches are being referred to as multi-port bridges because
of their advanced functionality.
Routers
Routers enable computers to communicate and they can pass information between
two networks—such as between your home network and the Internet. This capability
to direct network traffic is what gives the router its name. Routers can be wired (using
Ethernet cables) or wireless. If you just want to connect your computers, hubs and
switches work well; however, if you want to give all of your computers access to the
Internet using one modem, use a router or a modem with a built-in router. Routers
also typically provide built-in security, such as a firewall.
Wireless access points (APs or WAPs)

Access points (also called base stations) provide wireless access to a wired Ethernet
network. An access point plugs into a hub, switch, or wired router and sends out
wireless signals. This enables computers and devices to connect to a wired network
wirelessly. Access points act a lot like cellular phone towers: you can move from one
location to another and continue to have wireless access to a network. When you
connect to the Internet wirelessly using a public wireless network in an airport, coffee
shop, or hotel, you are usually connecting through an access point. If you want to
connect your computers wirelessly and you have a router that provides wireless
capability, you don't need an access point. Access points don't have built-in
technology for sharing Internet connections. To share an Internet connection, you
must plug an access point into a router or a modem with a built-in router.
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.

Modem is a device which converts the computer-generated digital signals of a

computer into analog signals to enable their travelling via phone lines. The ‘modulator-
demodulator’ or modem can be used as a dial up for LAN or to connect to an ISP.
Modems can be both external, as in the device which connects to the USB or the serial
port of a computer, or proprietary devices for handheld gadgets and other devices, as
well as internal; in the form of add-in expansion cards for computers and PCMCIA
cards for laptops.
Patch Panel
A panel that allows multiple devices to be connected and managed in a more efficient
manner. Computer networks, sound studios, television stations, and a number of
other systems use patch panels to deal with components of their electronic systems.

UTP cable
Short for unshielded twisted pair, a popular type of cable that consists of two
unshielded wires twisted around each other. Due to its low cost, UTP cabling is used
extensively for local-area networks (LANs) and telephone connections.
Modular box

Also known as, wall jack or plate, it is used to cover a portion of a wall where there is
an opening for networking outlets. The cover is usually rectangular in shape and
allows the cable(s) to come through the wall while still covering the larger opening.

Repeater
A network device used to regenerate or replicate a signal. Repeaters are used in
transmission systems to regenerate analog or digital signals distorted by transmission
loss. Analog repeaters frequently can only amplify the signal while digital repeaters
can reconstruct a signal to near its original quality.

In a data network, a repeater can relay messages between subnetworks that use
different protocols or cable types. Hubs can operate as repeaters by relaying messages
to all connected computers. A repeater cannot do the intelligent routing performed by
bridges and routers.
RJ 45
Short for Registered Jack-45, a RJ-45 is an 8-pin connection used for Ethernet
network adapters. This connector resembles the RJ-11 or 6-pin connector used with
telephones in the United States, but they're completely different. The picture is of a
RJ-45 connector separated from the cable.
This connector is most commonly connected to the end of Cat5 cable, which is
connected between a computer network card and a network device such as a network
router.
3. COMMON NETWORKING TOOL

Cable Tester

A cable tester is a device that is used to

test the strength and connectivity of a
particular type of cable or other wired
assemblies. There are a number of
different types of cable testers, each able
to test a specific type of cable or wire
(some may be able to test different types
of cables or wires). A cable tester can test
whether a cable or wire is set up
properly, connected correctly, and the
communication strength between the
source and destination.

Punch down tool

A punch down tool, also called a krone

tool, is a hand tool used to connect
telecommunications and network wires
to a patch panel, punch down block,
keystone module, or surface mount box.
The "punch down" part of the name
comes from punching a wire into place
using an impact action. It consists of a
handle, a spring mechanism, and a
removable slotted blade. When the
punch down tool connects a wire, the
blade cuts off the excess wire.
Cimping tools

A crimping tool is a device used to

conjoin two pieces of metal by deforming
one or both of them in a way that causes
them to hold each other. The result of
the tool's work is called a crimp. A good
example of crimping is the process of
affixing a connector to the end of a cable.
For instance, network cables and phone
cables are created using a crimping tool
(shown below) to join the RJ-45 and RJ-
11 connectors to the both ends of either
phone or CAT5 cable.

Wire stripper

A tool designed to remove the protective

covering (jacket) off of a cable to expose
the inner wires. Because different wires
come in different shapes, there are
dozens of different wire strippers
available. In the picture is an example of
a wire stripper that strips cables when
placed in-between the blade and the
holder and spun around the cable until
the cable jacket can be pulled off.