K. J.

Somaiya College of Engineering, Mumbai-77

(A Constituent College of Somaiya Vidyavihar University)

Batch: B2 Roll No.: 16010122188

Experiment / assignment / tutorial No. - 1

Grade: AA / AB / BB / BC / CC / CD /DD

Experiment No. 1 Signature of the Staff In-charge with date

TITLE: Study of Networking devices (Hub, router, Gateway, Switch etc.) and Transmission
Media

___________________________________________________________________________

AIM: To study different Networking devices and transmission media

used in day to day networks.
_________________________________________________________________________
Expected Outcome of Experiment:
CO:

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Books/ Journals/ Websites referred:
1. A. S. Tanenbaum, “Computer Networks”, Pearson Education,
Fourth Edition
2. B. A. Forouzan, “Data Communications and Networking”, TMH,
Fourth Edition

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Pre Lab/ Prior Concepts: Basics of LAN and Connecting devices
___________________________________________________________________________
New Concepts to be learned: Layer wise connecting devices
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Stepwise-Procedure:
.
Study of Connecting Devices

1. Hub
 What is its role?
A hub is a physical layer networking device that is used to connect
multiple devices in a network, primarily for connecting computers to a
LAN. It contains multiple ports, and a computer intending to join the
network can be plugged into one of these ports.

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 Functionality?
They operate in half duplex mode. They are available in 4 to 24 port sizes.
Hosts are responsible for collision detection and retransmission of packets.
There are three types, namely active hub, passive hub, and intelligent hub.
Hubs operate at the physical layer (layer 1) of the OSI model.

 Layer of operation
Hubs operate at the physical layer (layer 1) of the OSI model.

 Applications
Hubs are used to connect devices in a local area network (LAN) such as
computers, printers, and servers. This allows the devices to communicate
with each other and share resources.

2. Repeater
 What is its role?
Extends the range of a network by amplifying and retransmitting signals to ensure
they remain strong and clear over long distances.

 Functionality?
Receives weakened signals, regenerates them to their original strength, and then
retransmits them to prevent signal loss and degradation.

 Layer of operation

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Operates at the Physical Layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model.

 Applications
 LAN Extension: Connects distant segments of a local area network to maintain signal
integrity.

 Wi-Fi Boosting: Enhances wireless signal coverage in large areas, improving

connectivity.

 Long-Distance Communication: Ensures signal strength in extensive cabling systems,

such as in buildings or campus networks

3. Switch
 What is its role?
 Increases Capacity – They increment the accessible data transfer capacity of the
organization.
 Reduces Burden
 Increment Presentation
 Less casing Impacts
 Increases Bandwidth
 More secure

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 Functionality?
An Ethernet/Network Switch operates at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI
model. Unlike a hub, a switch forwards a message to a specific host. When any host
on the network or a switch sends a message to another host on the same network or
same switch, the switch receives and decodes the frames to read the physical (MAC)
address portion of the message.

 Layer of operation
An Ethernet switch operates at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model to create
a
separate collision domain for each switch port. Each device connected to a switch port
can
transfer data to any of the other ports at any time and the transmissions will not
interfere.

 Applications
A switch is an electrical component that is used to turn on and turn off any equipment
like a television, washing machine, lights, fans, etc. When the switch is off, the circuit
is open, and there is no flow of current. The current will flow when the circuit is
closed, which means that the switch should be on.

4. Bridge
 What is its role?
A bridge is a network device that connects multiple subnetworks to create a single
network. It provides interconnection with other computer networks that use the same
protocol.

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 Functionality?
Bridges are used to connect two or more hosts or network segments together. The
basic role of bridges in network architecture is storing and forwarding frames between
the different
segments that the bridge connects. They use hardware Media Access Control (MAC)
addresses for transferring frames.

 Layer of operation
Bridges operate at the Data-Link Layer of the OSI Model.

 Applications
Bridges are used to extend the range of the network by connecting two or more
physically separated segments. Bridges provide security as it separates different parts
of networks from each other. Bridges provide network redundancy by connecting two
or more paths between different network segments.

5. Router
 What is its role?

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A router is a device that connects two or more packet-switched networks or

subnetworks. It serves two primary functions: managing traffic between these
networks by forwarding data packets to their intended IP addresses, and allowing
multiple devices to use the same Internet connection.

 Functionality?
Routers allow packets to be transmitted to their destinations by monitoring the sea of
networking devices interconnected with different network topologies. Routers are
smart devices and store data on the networks to which they are connected. Most
routers can be adjusted as a firewall for packet filters and can use ACLs. Routers are
also used to convert from LAN to WAN framing in conjunction with the network
control unit/data service unit (CSU / DSU). Such routers are called boundary routers.

 Layer of operation
Routers operate on the third layer of the OSI Model, the Network-Control Layer.
Rather than
passing packets based on the Media Access Control (MAC) Layer addresses (as
bridges do), a
router examines the packet's data structure and determines whether or not to forward
it.

 Applications
There are several applications of router because nowadays routers are widely used in
most of the networking communication for better communication:
 Hardware equipment, such as servers from BSC, MGW, IN, SGSN, and other remote
location networks, is connected to these networks via routers.
 It is utilised in both wired and wireless communication since it supports a high speed
of data transmission due to its utilisation of STM connections for connectivity.
 Routers are frequently used by internet service providers to transfer data, such as
audio, video, image, and email, from one location to another. Additionally, it can
transmit data globally by utilising the destination’s IP address.
 Routers provide access control. It can be set up so that some users can access all of
the data while others can access just a subset of it.

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6. Gateway
 What is its role?
A gateway is a computer on a network that provides the interface between two
applications or networks that use different protocols. They are also used to provide a
connection to the Internet. A gateway in a network converts information from one
protocol to another and then transfers it over the web.

 Functionality?
A computer that sits between different networks or applications. The gateway
converts information, data or other communications from one protocol or format to
another. A router may perform some of the functions of a gateway. An Internet
gateway can transfer communications between an enterprise network and the Internet.

 Layer of operation

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The gateway operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI Model. The gateway
is used when transmitting packets. When packets are sent over a network, the
destination IP address is examined. If the destination IP is outside of the network, then
the packet goes to the gateway for transmission outside of the network.

 Applications
Security: Gateways can function as firewalls, filtering traffic to prevent unauthorized
access and protect the network from external threats.

Email Gateways: Email gateways route and manage email traffic, filter spam, and
protect against malware. They can also translate email protocols (e.g., SMTP to
X.400).

Cloud Gateways: Cloud gateways facilitate data transfer between on-premises

systems and cloud services, ensuring seamless integration and communication.

7. NIC
NIC stands for Network Interface Card NIC is additionally called Ethernet or physical
or network card. NIC is one of the major and imperative components to associate a
gadget to the network. Each gadget that must be associated with a network must have
a network interface card. Even the switches comprise of NIC in arrange to associate to
the systems. It is the foremost essential network component without which you cannot
interface any gadget to a network. It could be a circuit board or a card which is
introduced in the computer or PC so that it acts as an arbiter for organizing and
computer or PC. It is shown on layer 2 of the OSI show which is an information
interface layer that employs MAC address.

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Study of Transmission Media

1. Twisted pair cable

 What is its Role?

1. Balanced Pair Operation:
o UTP cables carry equal and opposite signals through two
wires.
o The destination detects the difference between the two
signals, known as differential mode transmission.
2. Noise Reduction:
o Noise sources introduce common-mode signals, which are
cancelled at the receiver when the difference signal is taken.
o Twisting the pairs helps counteract crosstalk by ensuring that
the noise remains common-mode.
3. Crosstalk Mitigation:
o Pairs in the same cable can induce crosstalk in each other.
o Twisting the pairs and varying twist rates among nearby pairs
minimize crosstalk within the cable.
4. Compatibility with Networking Standards:
o UTP cables are compatible with Ethernet and other data
networking standards.
o They are used for short and medium-length connections due
to their lower costs compared to optical fiber and coaxial
cable.
5. Video Signal Transmission:
o UTP cable bandwidth has improved to match the baseband of
television signals.
o A balun is needed to connect UTP to unbalanced equipment
like BNC connectors designed for coaxial cable.

Functionality

 Differential Mode Transmission:

a. UTP cables use differential mode transmission to carry signals.
b. The receiver detects the difference between equal and opposite signals on two
wires.
 Common-Mode Noise Cancellation:
a. Noise coupling into the wires tends to produce a common-mode signal.
b. The receiver cancels this noise when taking the difference between signals.
 Twisting of Pairs:
a. Twisting the pairs in UTP cables ensures that the wires exchange positions
relative to the noise source.
b. This maintains the noise as common-mode over the distance of a single twist.
 Varying Twist Rates:
a. Different twist rates for each pair minimize crosstalk within the cable.

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b. Twist rates are part of the specification for a given type of cable to ensure
optimal performance.
 Material Composition:
a. UTP cables are typically made with copper wires measured at 22 or 24 AWG.
b. Insulation is typically made from materials such as polyurethane, with the
entire package covered in a polyurethane jacket.
 Transmission Line Characteristics:
a. UTP is a balanced transmission line, requiring a balun to connect to
unbalanced equipment.
b. This is necessary for connecting UTP to equipment designed for coaxial cable,
such as those using BNC connectors.

Fig 7.Twisted Pair Cable

2. Coaxial cable

Coaxial cable is the kind of copper cable used by cable TV companies between the
community antenna and user homes and businesses. Coaxial cable is sometimes
used by telephone companies from their central office to the telephone poles near
users. It is also widely installed for use in business and corporation Ethernet and
other types of local area network.

Coaxial cable is called "coaxial" because it includes one physicalchannel that carries
the signal surrounded (after a layer of insulation) by another concentric physical
channel, both running along the same axis. The outer channel serves as a ground.
Many of these cables or pairs of coaxial tubes can be placed in a single outer
sheathing and, with repeaters, can carry information for a great distance.

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Fig 8.Coaxial Cable

Optical Fiber

Fiber-optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one

place to another by sending pulses of light through an optical fiber. The light
forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to carry information.
First developed in the 1970s, fiber-optic communication systems have
revolutionized the telecommunications industry and have played a major role in
the advent of the Information Age. Because of its advantages over electrical
transmission, optical fibers have largely replaced copper wire communications in
core networks in the developed world.

The process of communicating using fiber-optics involves the following basic

steps: Creating the optical signal involving the use of a transmitter, relaying the
signal along the fiber, ensuring that the signal does not become too distorted or
weak, receiving the optical signal, and converting it into an electrical signal.

Fig 9.Fiber Optics Cable

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Summary

The features of the connecting devices and transmission media can be explained
in brief as follows:

 Hub: Broadcasts data to all connected devices, leading to potential network

congestion and collisions. Best for small networks with minimal traffic.
 Switch: Directs data only to the intended recipient based on MAC addresses,
reducing collisions and improving network efficiency. Ideal for modern, high-traffic
networks.
 Bridge: Connects and filters traffic between network segments, helping to manage
and segment traffic to reduce network load and collisions.
 Gateway: Facilitates communication between networks with different protocols by
translating data formats and protocols, enabling interoperability between disparate
systems.
 Copper Cables: Offer reliable and cost-effective connectivity for short to moderate
distances, commonly used in Ethernet networks.
 Fiber Optic Cables: Provide high-speed data transmission over long distances with
minimal signal loss, suitable for backbone and high-bandwidth applications.
 Wireless Technologies: Enable flexible, scalable, and convenient network access
without physical cables, though they can be prone to interference and security issues.

CONCLUSION:

In this experiment, we explored various networking devices and transmission media. Hubs broadcast
data to all devices, switches direct it to specific recipients, bridges filter traffic between network
segments, and gateways enable communication between different protocols. We also reviewed
transmission media: copper cables for cost-effective short-distance connections, fiber optics for
high-speed long-distance communication, and wireless technologies for flexible connectivity.
Understanding these components enhances network efficiency, performance, and design.

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Post Lab Questions

1. Compare Hub, switch, bridge, and gateway and specify the use in
different cases.

 Hub:

 Function: A hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple computers in a

network. It operates at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model.
 Characteristics: It broadcasts incoming data packets to all ports, regardless of which
device the packet is intended for. This can lead to network congestion and collisions.
 Use Case: Suitable for small networks where network traffic is minimal. Hubs are
mostly obsolete and replaced by more advanced devices like switches.

 Switch:

 Function: A switch operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) and sometimes at the
network layer (Layer 3). It intelligently forwards data only to the device that needs it.
 Characteristics: It uses MAC addresses to determine the destination of data packets,
which reduces collisions and improves network efficiency compared to hubs.
 Use Case: Ideal for modern networks where efficient data transmission and reduced
collisions are crucial. It helps manage traffic and improve network performance.

 Bridge:

 Function: A bridge connects two or more network segments and filters traffic based
on MAC addresses. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2).
 Characteristics: It helps reduce network traffic by forwarding data only to the
segment where the destination device resides.
 Use Case: Useful for dividing large networks into smaller, more manageable
segments, or for connecting different network segments in the same LAN.

 Gateway:

 Function: A gateway acts as a bridge between different networks with different

protocols. It operates at various layers, depending on the protocols it needs to
translate.
 Characteristics: It performs protocol conversions and data format translations to
enable communication between systems that use different communication protocols.
 Use Case: Essential for connecting networks that use different architectures or
protocols, such as connecting a corporate network to the internet.

2. Which of the following device is used to connect two systems,

especially if the systems use different protocols?

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A. hub
B. bridge
C. gateway
D. repeater
E. None of the above

3. Frames from one LAN can be transmitted to another LAN via the
device

A. Router
B. Bridge
C. Repeater
D. Modem

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