Learning Outcome 2: Connection network devices

Network Devices:

Network devices are hardware or software that connect computers and networks, allowing for the
exchange of data and resources. They can be used to establish, maintain, and secure network
connections.

Examples of network devices

 Router: A device that directs data packets between networks, often connecting LANs and
WANs. Routers use IP addresses to filter and forward data.
 Hub; A simple device that connects multiple cables to form a network segment. Hubs can also
act as repeaters for long-distance data transmission.
 Switch: A device that connects multiple devices on a network, forwarding data to the intended
recipient. Switches use packet switching to process and forward data.
 Bridge: A device that connects multiple network segments.
 Repeater: A device that receives and retransmits signals to extend their reach. Repeaters can be
used to restore damaged signals, or to provide access to nodes that are otherwise inaccessible.
 Gateway: A device that translates data formats and protocol conversion. Routers, switches, and
bridges can all act as gateways.

Purpose of network devices

 Establish network connections: Routers and modems can establish network connections.
 Maintain network connections: Hubs, repeaters, switches, and gateways can maintain
network connections.
 Secure network connections: Network devices can provide security to protect data.
 Route data: Network devices can route data packets to their intended destination.

Network connection Media

Network connection media can be identified by the type of cable or wireless technology used. The
transmission medium is further divided into two types: Wired or Guided transmission media ( e.g.:
Twisted pair cable, Ethernet cable, Coaxial cable, and Optical fiber) and other is wireless or unguided
transmission medium (e.g.: Infrared, Radio link, Microwave link, Satellite link, Bluetooth, WIFI ).
Wired media:
Wired network media is a physical cable that connects devices to a network. Examples are as below:
 Twisted-pair cable
 Two insulated wires twisted around each other to reduce interference. Used in E Made up of
pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together
 Commonly used in Ethernet networks
 The twisting reduces electromagnetic interference and crosstalk
1
  CAT5 cables are standard, CAT5E is an upgraded version, and CAT6 is recommended for
gigabit Ethernet Ethernet networks and telephones.

 Coaxial cable
A copper cable with a rigid core, insulation, and a protective jacket. Used in cable TV and
satellite communication systems.
 Has a central copper conductor surrounded by insulation, a metallic shield, and an outer
insulating layer
 Used for cable television and broadband internet connections
Good for long, one-way connections between devices
 Fiber-optic cable

A flexible, transparent cable made of glass or plastic that transmits data as light pulses. Used in
long-distance communication and high-speed networks.
Wireless media
 WiFi: A wireless technology used for network connections.
 Bluetooth: A wireless technology used for network connections.
 Radio waves: Used in wireless data communications networks.
When choosing network media, you can consider things like:
 The distance the media can carry a signal
 The environment where the media will be installed
 The amount of data and how fast it needs to be transmitted
 The cost of the media and installation

Wireless media:
Wireless network connection media includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, Bluetooth, and Wi-
Fi. These technologies are used to transmit data between network nodes without the use of cables.
Examples of wireless network connection media
 Radio waves: Used by Wi-Fi-based wireless networks to send signals. that can travel large
distances as well as can penetrate any wall (Omni-directional, these waves can move in all
directions)
 Microwaves: Used in wireless networks, such as terrestrial microwave networks. Microwaves
are a line-of-sight transmission, meaning both the antennas sending and receiving should be
properly aligned. Also, the distance covered by the signal is directly proportional to the height
of the antenna.
 Infrared: Used as a wireless transmission medium. Infrared is used for short-range
communication like TV remotes, mobile phones, personal computers etc. In science, the
Infrared is part of a spectrum that is not visible to the human eye. The limitation of infrared
rays is that they cannot penetrate any obstacles and can only use for short-range.
 Bluetooth: A wireless technology used in unguided networks
 Wi-Fi: A wireless technology used in unguided networks

2
Benefits of wireless networks:
 Avoids the cost of installing cables in buildings
 Can be used to connect equipment in various locations
Security considerations
 Wireless networks are more vulnerable to attack than wired networks
 Encryption, such as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), is a
common security method
 MAC addresses can be used to deny access to unauthorized stations

Characteristics of connection media

Connection mediums, such as cables and wireless networks, have many characteristics, including:
 Transmission: Connection mediums transmit information, such as data, images, and sound,
between devices
 Storage: Connection mediums store information
 Delivery: Connection mediums deliver information to the intended recipient
 Security: Connection mediums can be secure and protect data from external interference
 Reliability: Connection mediums can be reliable and provide consistent data transmission
 Cost: Connection mediums can vary in cost, with some being cheaper than others
 Ease of use: Connection mediums can vary in ease of use, with some being easier to install
than others
 Flexibility: Connection mediums can vary in flexibility, with some being more flexible than
others

Computer Network devices

Computer network devices are hardware that allow devices to communicate with each other by
transmitting data. Network devices like hubs, repeaters, bridges, switches, routers, gateways, and
routers help manage and direct data flow in a network. They ensure efficient communication
between connected devices by controlling data transfer, boosting signals, and linking different
networks. Each device serves a specific role, from simple data forwarding to complex routing
between networks.
Network devices work as a mediator between two devices for transmission of data, and thus play a
very important role in the functioning of a computer network.
Examples of computer network devices
1) Access Point
An access point in networking is a device that allows wireless devices, like smartphones and
laptops, to connect to a wired network. It creates a Wi-Fi network that lets wireless devices
communicate with the internet or other devices on the network. Access points are used to extend the
3
range of a network or provide Wi-Fi in areas that do not have it. They are commonly found in
homes, offices, and public places to provide wireless internet access.
Finally, we can conclude that a wireless access point (WAP) is a device that allows wireless devices
to connect to a wired network. It acts as a hub, sharing bandwidth among connected devices.
How it works
 A WAP connects to a wired network using an ethernet cable.
 It transmits network data through the air using radio waves.
 The radio waves are received by other devices, which convert them back into information.
Benefits
 WAPs simplify network setup and eliminate the need for physical cables.
 They can support multiple devices simultaneously.
 WAPs can be used to extend the range of a wireless network.
Factors to consider
 Placement
The location of a WAP can affect the user experience. Poorly positioned WAPs can cause
dropped connections and handoff delays.
 Security
WAPs can be secured using strong encryption protocols, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
 Frequency
Adjacent WAPs typically use different frequencies to avoid interference.
 Range
The range of a WAP can be affected by many factors, including obstructions, weather, and the
power output of devices.

2) Modems
Modems is also known as modulator/demodulator is a network device that is used to convert digital
signal into analog signal of different frequencies and transmits these signal to a modem at the
receiving location. These converted signals can be transmitted over the cable systems, telephone
lines, and other communication mediums. A modem is also used to convert analog signal back into
digital signal. Modems are generally used to access internet by customers of an Internet Service
Provider (ISP).

How it works
 A modem converts digital signals from a device into analog signals that can be sent over a
phone line or cable network.
 A modem converts analog signals from a phone line or cable network into digital signals that
can be processed by a device.
 A modem connects a home to an internet service provider (ISP).
 A modem translates data from an ISP into a format that can be used by devices on a home
network.
Specifications

4
  Frequency band: The frequency range of the modem
 Maximum output power: The maximum amount of power the modem can output
 Number of channels: The number of channels the modem has
 Data rate: The speed at which the modem can transmit data
Lifespan
 Modems can last about 2–5 years before they need to be upgraded.
 If a modem is rented from an ISP, it should be a modern device.

Types of Modems
There are four main types of modems:
 DSL Modem: Uses regular phone lines to connect to the internet but it is slower
compared to other types.
 Cable Modem: Sends data through TV cables, providing faster internet than DSL.
 Wireless Modem: Connects devices to the internet using Wi-Fi relying on nearby Wi-Fi
signals.
 Cellular Modem: Connects to the internet using mobile data from a cellular network not
Wi-Fi or fixed cables.

3) Firewalls
A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls the flow of data between your
computer or network and the internet. It acts as a barrier, blocking unauthorized access while
allowing trusted data to pass through. Firewalls help protect your network from hackers, viruses,
and other online threats by filtering traffic based on security rules. Firewalls can be physical
devices (hardware), programs (software), or even cloud-based services, which can be offered
as SaaS, through public clouds, or private virtual clouds.
A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls network traffic. Firewalls can be
hardware, software, or cloud-based. They protect networks from unauthorized access and harmful
activities.
How firewalls work
 Firewalls examine network packets and decide whether to allow or block them.
 Firewalls use security rules to determine which packets are safe and legitimate.
 Firewalls can inspect the contents of data packets, including where the data is coming from,
the ports it uses, and the applications it's associated with.
Types of firewalls
 Network-based firewall: Routes traffic between networks
 Application firewall: Filters and intercepts traffic packets to and from applications
 Stateful inspection firewall: Examines the contents of data packets and compares them
against a threat database

Advantages of firewall
 Network security: Firewalls can block unauthorized access attempts, port scanning, and other
common attack vectors.
 Malware protection: Firewalls can prevent malware infections and other malicious software.
5
  Privacy: Firewalls with VPNs can hide personal information like IP addresses and domain
names.
 Compliance: Firewalls can help businesses comply with data protection regulations.

Disadvantages
 False sense of security: Firewalls can't prevent sensitive information from being revealed
through social engineering.
 Blocked legitimate traffic: Firewalls can potentially block legitimate traffic.
 Maintenance: Firewalls can be complex and require maintenance.
 Cost: Firewalls can be expensive, especially for small businesses.
 Effectiveness: Firewalls are only as effective as the rules they are configured to enforce.

4) Hub
A hub is a multiport repeater. A hub connects multiple wires coming from different branches, for
example, the connector in star topology which connects different stations. Hubs cannot filter data,
so data packets are sent to all connected devices. In other words, the collision domain of all hosts
connected through Hub remains one. Also, they do not have the intelligence to find out the best
path for data packets which leads to inefficiencies and wastage. Hubs are generally more budget-
friendly than switches.

Types of Hubs
 Active Hub: These are the hubs that have their power supply and can clean, boost, and
relay the signal along with the network. It serves both as a repeater as well as a wiring
center. These are used to extend the maximum distance between nodes.
 Passive Hub: These are the hubs that collect wiring from nodes and power supply from
the active hub. These hubs relay signals onto the network without cleaning and boosting
them and can’t be used to extend the distance between nodes.
 Intelligent Hub: It works like an active hub and includes remote management
capabilities. They also provide flexible data rates to network devices. It also enables an
administrator to monitor the traffic passing through the hub and to configure each port in
the hub.

Advantages of Hub:
 Connectivity – The primary function of the hub is to permit clients to attach to a
network in order that they will share and have conversations. For this purpose, hubs use
network protocol analyzer.
 Cost – Comparing to switches, hubs are really inexpensive.
 Device Support – Hubs can connect different types of media all at once with a central
hub.
 Area Coverage – Area coverage of a network is restricted to a certain distance. Hub
extends the space of the network such communication is formed easy.

Disadvantages of Hub:
 Collision Domain – The function of the collision domain and again transfer of packet
does not affect actually it increases more chances of collision in between domains.

6
  Full-Duplex Mode – Hubs cannot communicate fully duplex mode; it can only operate
in half-duplex mode. Half-duplex mode, in essence, means data are often transmitted just
one occasion at a given time. Therefore, the hub must constantly switch its modes.
 Specification – Hubs cannot support networks that are large like a token ring. This is
often because hubs must share data among all the devices within the network.
 Network Traffic – As the attachment was received in the packet so it cannot reduce
traffic. Hence, hubs make a high level of network traffic.
 Bandwidth Wastage – Hubs cannot provide dedicated bandwidth for every device; it is
to share them. When sending large pieces of information all the bandwidths are going to
be occupied by the two computers leaving other computers with slow network.

5) Switch
A switch is a multiport bridge with a buffer and a design that can boost its efficiency (a large
number of ports imply less traffic) and performance. A switch is a data link layer device. The
switch can perform error checking before forwarding data, which makes it very efficient as it does
not forward packets that have errors and forward good packets selectively to the correct port only.
In other words, the switch divides the collision domain of hosts, but the broadcast domain remains
the same.
We can say, a network switch is a hardware component responsible for relaying data from networks
to the destination endpoint through packet switching, MAC address identification, and a multiport
bridge system.
A network switch can work in three ways:
 Edge switches, also known as access switches: They handle traffic entering and
departing the network. Edge switches link various devices, including personal
computers and access points.
 Aggregation switches: Switches for aggregation or dissemination are located within an
optional intermediary layer. These connect to edge switches, which may transmit traffic
from one switch to another or up to the core switches.
 C7 core switches: The network’s backbone is made up of these switches. Core
switches link edge or aggregation switches, device or consumer edge networks to
networks at data centers, and routers to organizational LANs.

Types of Switches
 Unmanaged Switches: These switches have a simple plug-and-play design and do not
offer advanced configuration options. They are suitable for small networks or for use as
an expansion to a larger network.
 Managed Switches: These switches offer advanced configuration options such
as VLANs, QoS, and link aggregation. They are suitable for larger, more complex
networks and allow for centralized management.
 Layer 2 Switches: These switches operate at the Data Link layer of the OSI model and
are responsible for forwarding data between devices on the same network segment.
 Layer 3 switches: These switches operate at the Network layer of the OSI model and
can route data between different network segments. They are more advanced than Layer
2 switches and are often used in larger, more complex networks.
 PoE Switches: These switches have Power over Ethernet capabilities, which allows
them to supply power to network devices over the same cable that carries data.
 Gigabit switches: These switches support Gigabit Ethernet speeds, which are faster than
traditional Ethernet speeds.

7
  Rack-Mounted Switches: These switches are designed to be mounted in a server rack
and are suitable for use in data centers or other large networks.

Advantages
 Resource sharing
Switches connect devices like computers, printers, and servers, allowing them to share
information and resources.
 Network building blocks
Switches are essential components of networks, connecting devices within a building or
campus.
Disadvantages
 Cost: Switches can be expensive.
 Broadcast traffic: Broadcast traffic can be a problem for switches.
 Security: Switches in indiscriminate mode are vulnerable to security attacks.
 Network availability: It can be difficult to track network availability issues through a switch.
 Network connectivity: It can be difficult to track network connectivity problems through a
switch.
 Multicast packets: Switches require proper architecture and configuration to handle multicast
packets.

Difference between a hub and a switch:

A hub is a networking device that connects multiple devices to a single network and broadcasts data
to all connected devices. A switch is a networking device that connects multiple devices to a single
network and directs data to specific destinations.
Function:
 Hub
Receives data from connected devices and broadcasts it to all connected devices
 Switch
Receives data from connected devices and directs it to specific destinations
Operation:
 Hub: Operates on the physical layer of the OSI model
 Switch: Operates on the data link layer of the OSI model
Bandwidth:
 Hub: Shares bandwidth between ports
 Switch: Provides dedicated bandwidth to ports
Data transmission:
 Hub: Data transmission speed is slow
 Switch: Data transmission is faster and more efficient
Use cases:

8
  Hub: Used in basic home networks, educational settings, and temporary network setups
 Switch: Used to connect devices like computers, printers, and servers on a network

8) Router
A router is a device like a switch that routes data packets based on their IP addresses. The router is
mainly a Network Layer device. Routers normally connect LANs and WANs and have a
dynamically updating routing table based on which they make decisions on routing the data packets.
The router divides the broadcast domains of hosts connected through it.
A network router is a device that sends and receives data packets between computer networks. It acts
as a dispatcher, choosing the best route for data to travel across a network.
How it works
 A router connects to two or more data lines from different IP networks.
 A modem brings information from the internet to the router.
 The router distributes the data to personal devices like computers, phones, and tablets.
 The router prioritizes data and chooses the best route for each transmission.
What it does Improves internet access, Creates business networks, Protects information from security
threats, and Decides which devices have priority over others.
Types of routers
 Access routers: Connect subscribers to their provider's network
 Edge routers: Manage subscriber sessions and apply policy
 Core routers: Forward packets across the internet or private network backbones

Advantages
 Dynamic routing: Routers can automatically select the best path for data to travel, which can
improve network performance and prevent congestion.
 Network segmentation: Routers can isolate traffic between different segments, which can
improve network performance, security, and manageability.
 IP address management: Routers can manage IP addresses within a network.
 Connectivity: Routers can connect different network architectures.
 Internet speed: Routers can provide high-speed internet connectivity.
Disadvantages
 Cost: Routers can be more expensive than other networking devices.
 Security: Routers' firmware can be vulnerable to cyber attacks.
 Maintenance: Routers may require regular maintenance and troubleshooting.
 Range: Wi-Fi routers may have a limited range.
 Speed: Routers may be relatively slow because they process data packets at multiple layers.

Note:
In conclusion, different types of network devices play essential roles in keeping a network running
smoothly and securely. Devices like routers, switches, modems, and access points help connect

9
devices, manage data traffic, and ensure efficient communication. Firewalls add a layer of security,
while other tools extend the network’s reach or make it easier to manage. Each device has a specific
function, but together they create a reliable and secure network environment for both personal and
business use.

Sample Question

Question 1: Write a short note on Microwaves.

Solution
Microwaves are a line-of-sight transmission, meaning both the antennas sending and receiving should
be properly aligned. Also, the distance covered by the signal is directly proportional to the height of
the antenna. Microwaves have a frequency Range between 1GHz – 300GHz. Basically, we used
Microwaves in mobile phones communication and television distribution.
Unlike radio waves, they are unidirectional, as they can move in only one direction, and therefore it is
used in point-to-point communication or unicast communication such as radar and satellite.
Question 2: What do you mean by wireless communication. Give examples.
Solution
It is also referred to as Unguided Media or Unbounded transmission media. No physical medium is
required for the transmission of electromagnetic signals. In wireless communication we can transfer
our message through the air, water or vacuum i.e., Infrared, Radio wave, Microwave wave. So, we
don’t worry about the cables or any material to transfer messages, as we can send out a message
without and medium.

10