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Common-Types-of-Network-Devices

The document outlines common types of network devices, including hubs, switches, routers, bridges, gateways, modems, repeaters, and access points. Each device serves a specific function in network connectivity and communication, with varying levels of intelligence and capabilities. For example, routers manage traffic and enhance security, while access points facilitate connections for both wired and wireless devices.

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Karl Laguardia
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4 views

Common-Types-of-Network-Devices

The document outlines common types of network devices, including hubs, switches, routers, bridges, gateways, modems, repeaters, and access points. Each device serves a specific function in network connectivity and communication, with varying levels of intelligence and capabilities. For example, routers manage traffic and enhance security, while access points facilitate connections for both wired and wireless devices.

Uploaded by

Karl Laguardia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Common Types of Network Devices

The most common types of network devices include hubs, switches, routers, bridges,
gateways, modems, repeaters, and access points. Below is a more detailed description
of each of these devices.

Hubs

Hubs are used to connect multiple network devices together. They can be used to
transmit both digital and analog information. Digital information is transmitted as
packets, whereas analog information is transmitted as a signal. Hubs also act as a
repeater, which amplifies signals that have weakened after being transmitted across a
long distance. Hubs operate at the Physical layer of the Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI) model.

Switch

A switch is a multiport network device whose purpose is to improve network efficiency


and improve communication between hubs, routers, and other network devices.
Switches are intelligent devices that gather information from incoming packets in order
to forward them to the appropriate destination. Switches generally have limited
information about the other nodes on the network.

Router

The main role of the router is to forward packets of information to their destinations.
Routers are more intelligent than hubs or switches as they store information about the
other network devices they are connected to. Routers can play an important role in
network security, as they can be configured to serve as packet-filtering firewalls and
reference access control lists (ACLs) when forwarding packets. In addition to filtering
authorized network traffic, they also are used to divide networks into subnetworks, thus
facilitating a zero-trust architecture.

Bridge

A bridge is used to connect hosts or network segments together. As with routers, they
can be used to divide larger networks into smaller ones, by sitting between network
devices and regulating the flow of traffic. A bridge also has the ability to filter packets of
data, known as frames, before they are forwarded. Bridges are not as popular as they
once were, and are now being replaced by switches, which provide better functionality.

Gateway

A gateway device is used to facilitate interoperability between different technologies


such as Open System Interconnection (OSI) and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP). In other words, they translate each other’s messages. You could
think of a gateway as a router, but with added translation functionality.

Modem

A modem, which is short for “modulators-demodulators”, is a piece of network hardware


that is used to convert digital signals into analog signals, in order to transmit them over
analog telephone lines. When the signals arrive at the destination, another modem will
convert the analog signals back to a digital format.

Repeater

A repeater is a relatively simple network device that amplifies the signal it receives in
order to allow it to cover a longer distance. Repeaters work on the Physical layer of the
OSI model.

Access Point
An access point (AP) is a network device that is similar to a router, only it has its own
built-in antenna, transmitter and adapter. An AP can be used to connect a variety of
network devices together, including both wired and wireless devices. Access points can
be fat or thin. A fat AP must be manually configured with network and security settings,
whereas a thin AP can be configured and monitored remotely.

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