What are Network Devices?

Network devices are components used to connect computers or other electronic devices together
so that they can share files or resources like printers or fax machines.

Devices

Modem
Switch
Router
Bridge
Network Interface Card (NIC)
Hub

Modem

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 word modem comes from
modulator-demodulator
Features/Characteristics
1- Speed
The rate at which a modem converts the digital signals into analog form (and vice versa) and
transmits over communication media is called modem speed. The speed of modem is measured in
bits per second (bps). Today, the modems can send data at 56 kbps over the standard telephone

lines.
2- Self Testing
Modem has the capability to check the analog as well as digital connection automatically. It can
also check its internal circuits.
3- Voice over Data
Modem also allows voice conversation while data is being transmitted. For voice conversation,
modems at both ends must have this features.

Advantages
Modems not expensive.
Higher Transmission Speed
More useful in connecting LAN with the Internet
Disadvantages
No traffic maintenance is present

Switches

A network switch is a computer networking device that connects network segments. They are the
linkage points of an Ethernet network.
Just as in hub, devices in switches are connected to them through twisted pair cabling. But the
difference shows up in the manner both the devices.

Features/characteristics
Capable of inspecting data frames as they are received, determining the source and
destination device of that frame, and forwarding it appropriately.
Has an in-built learning of the MAC address of the devices connected to it.

Advantages
Switches allow for the availability of the full gigabit of bandwidth for each connection.
This means that network performance remains unaffected by multiple devices working on
the same switch. Network switches are therefore able to send and receive data at the same
time, unlike hubs.
Network switches eliminate collisions by creating a direct on-the-fly connection between
the sending and receiving devices or computers.

 Each device operates on its own wire within a network switch. This makes it easier to
pinpoint the area of concern if a problem arises on a given switch port.
Disadvantages
Network switches tend to be difficult to install and use
They often require extensive training to repair if the network goes down
Configuration is necessary when handling multicast packets, which can be complicated.

Routers

Routers are highly intelligent devices that connect multiple network types and determine the best
path for sending data.

Features/characteristics
Normally used to connect one LAN to another
It determines the destination of the received data by examining incoming packets.
It chooses the best path for the packet through the network.
Advantages
One of the biggest reasons for using a router is to connect multiple users to the Internet
Using a router as an intermediary between the outside network of the Internet and the
inside network provides a scalable environment that is also, to a degree, easier to
secure.
Selects fastest available path for data packets to reach their destination.
a router can work on both a LAN and WAN

Disadvantages

Routers work only with routable network protocols; not all protocols are routable.
Routers are more expensive than bridges or repeaters
Dynamic Router communications (inter-router communication) causes additional
network traffic

Bridges

A bridge is a product that connects a local area network (LAN) to another local area network
that uses the same protocol
Features/Characteristics
Apart from building up larger networks, bridges are also used to segment larger networks
into smaller portions
It can filter traffic on the basis of MAC address.
It has the capacity to block the incoming flow of data as well.
Advantages
INCREASES NETWORK LENGTH - A network bridge increases the functional
length of a network by connecting individual LAN segments.

 LINKS DISSIMILAR NETWORK TRANSMISSION SEGMENTS- A bridge can

connect both similar and dissimilar LAN segments. It can connect, for instance, connects
LAN segments with different protocols, a LAN segment with the Internet and a wireless
local area network (WLAN) with a LAN segment.
Disadvantages
Does not scale to extremely large networks
Bridges are more expensive than repeaters or hubs
A complex network topology can pose a problem for transparent bridge

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Network cards also known as Network Interface Cards (NICs) are hardware devices that connect
a computer with the network. They are installed on the mother board. They are responsible for
developing a physical connection between the network and the computer.

Features/Characteristics
It prepares data, sends data, and controls the flow of data.
It can also receive and translate data into bytes for the CPU to understand.

Advantages
NICs are inexpensive
Easy to Troubleshoot - Network interface cards make it easy for computer owners and IT
personnel to troubleshoot problems. That is because most network cards have indicator
lights built into them. These indicator lights make it easy to see at a glance whether the
card is working properly

 Speed - A network interface card provides a fast connection to the Internet. For example,
a gigabit NIC provides speeds up to 1 Gbps. Unlike a wireless connection, the speed of a
NIC should stay constant even as the wires travel through walls, floors or other
obstacles.
Disadvantages
Requires a hard wired connection - Another drawback of standard network interface
cards is the fact that they require a hard wired connection. In order to work properly, the
computer will need to remain in one place.
Portability - NICs are not as portable as wireless cards. When you move a computer that's
connected to a network with a NIC from one location to another, you have to disconnect
the computer from the network and reconnect it at the other location. During the time it's
being moved, it can't use the network to communicate.

Hub

Hub is one of the basic icons of networking devices which works at physical layer and hence
connect networking devices physically together. Hubs are fundamentally used in networks that
use twisted pair cabling to connect devices.

Features/Characteristics
They act as pathways to direct electrical signals to travel along.
Provides a common connection point for nodes on the network
Hub falls in two categories:
Active Hub: 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. They are smarter than the passive hubs.

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

Advantages
Cost of Hubs - Hubs are generally less expensive than network switches. Therefore,
buyers who are only using a few devices on their network with limited data transferring
should consider this cost effective option.
Speed of Hubs - Due to their inability to analyse received data, hubs do less processing
and are therefore able to communicate at a much quicker rate than network switches.
Simplicity of Hubs - When compared to network switches, hubs are relatively easy use.
Instead of analysing received data, hubs simply broadcast the information that they
receive to all devices within the network.
Disadvantages
Network hubs can only communicate in half-duplex mode; they can only send or receive
data at any given time.
Network Size - Hubs are unable to support networks that are as large as switches because
hubs send all traffic to all devices on the network.
If the hub breaks down, it will affect the entire network ie..it will also break down.