Networking Devices

(1)NIC CARD:-> Network Interface Card is a hardware component without NIC card computer cannot be connected
from any network or Internet. It is also called Ethernet card, Network adapter, LAN adapter or broadband card.

(2) Router:-> The Router is a networking device that forwards data packets between the computer network. When
a data packet comes into the router the router analyse the packets, moving the packets to another network , if
needs then dropping the packets, read the network address in the packet header and knows the destination
address and directing packets to the appropriate locations etc. A router is like a traffic controller. Router is a
hardware device.

Advantages:->

(i)Transmission rate is very high

(ii)Data Routing

(iii)It find out congestion free path

Connecting devices

Disadvantages:->

(i) Complex to maintain

(ii) Router is more Expensive
(iii) Security issues
(3) Repeater:-> Repeater is a hardware device. Repeater is knows as regenerative device means if during
transferring strength of signal decrease then repeater maintains same original strength and regenerate actual
strength.

Advantages:-

(i) The cost of repeaters is less than compared to the other network.
(ii) Repeater has the potential to strengthen signals
(iii) repeaters has the facility to extend the length of the transmission
Disadvantages:-
(i) Repeaters are unable to segment network traffic
(ii) Repeaters are also unable to connect networks of varied architectures. For this purpose,
either a gateway or a router is required.
(iii) The Repeaters cannot separate the devices as all the information is passed to several
domains.

(4) Hub:-> Hub is a network device that is used to connect multiple computers together. It acts as a
centralized connection to several computers with the central node or server.
Advantages:-

(i) It broadcast the message

(ii) Easy installation
(iii) A Hub is less expensive and less complicated
(iv) Robust nature

Disadvantages:->

(i) Hub cannot provide Routing

(ii) If Hub failed then entire network effected
(iii) Not provide Security
(iv) Not send Private/ Personal data through hub
(v) Less intelligence
(vi) Not support full duplex mode

(5) Switch:-> A Switch is a hardware device , which is used to connect devices or segments of the network into
smaller subsets of LAN segments. Switch is a network device that connects multiple computers together in the
network. Switch forwards a data packet to a specific route by establishing a temporary connection between the
source and destination .

There is a vast difference between Switch and Hub.A Hub forward each incoming packet to all the hub ports, while
a switch forwards each incoming packet to the specified recipient.

Advantages:-

(i) Switch is intelligence than Hub

(ii) It provides security in Hub
(iii) It is generally used to unicast the message
(iv) Support full duplex mode
(v) If one system fail not effected the other

Disadvantages:-

(i) If Switch failed entire network Effected

(ii) More Expensive
(6) Bridge:-> Bridge serve a similar function as switches. Bridge reduce the amount of traffic on a LAN by dividing
it into segments. The Bridge takes the data from the Hub then examine now creates a table and find the
destination MAC address.

Advantages:-

(i) By using bridge device we can extends network

(ii) Collision can be reduce easily
(iii) More intelligent

Disadvantage>

(i) It does not established the connection between two different network
(ii) It is more Expensive
 (7) Gateway:-> Gateway is a hardware device . The Gateway establishes an intelligent connection between a
local network and external networks, which are completely different in structure.

A gateway is a network connectivity device that connects two different configuration networks. Gateways are
also known as protocol converters, because they play an important role in converting protocols supported by
traffic on different networks. As a result, it allows smooth communication between two networks. It works as
the entry-exit point for a network because all traffic that passes across the networks must pass through the
gateway.
Gateways provide a wide variety of features. Some of these are:
• A gateway is situated at a network edge and manages all data that enters or exits the network.
•
Gateways

• .

Advantages:-

(i) Better connectivity.

(ii) Better flexibility.
(iii) It provides security

(iv) Gateway is worked as the protocol converter.

Disadvantages:-

(i) It is more expensive

(ii) Data transmission rate is slow
Difference between Hub, Switch and Router

Hub Switch Router

Hub is a physical layer Switch is a data link layer device i.e. Router is a network layer device i.e.
device i.e. layer 1. layer 2. layer 3.

A Hub works on the basis Switch works on the basis of MAC A router works on the basis of IP
of broadcasting. address. address.

A Hub is a multiport A Switch is a tele- A router reads the header of

repeater in which a signal communication device which receives a incoming packet and forward it to
introduced at the input of message from any device connected to it the port for which it is intended
any port appears at the and then transmits the message only to there by determines the route. It
output of the all available the device for which the message is can also perform filtering and
ports. intended. encapsulation.

A route is more sophisticated and

intelligent device as it can read IP
Hub is not an intelligent A Switch is an intelligent device as it address and direct the packets to
device that may include passes on the message to the selective another network with specified IP
amplifier on repeater. device by inspecting the address. address. Moreover routers can built
address tables that helps in routing
decisions.

At least single network is At least single network is required to Router needs at least two networks
required to connect. connect. to connect.

Hub is cheaper as Router is a relatively much more

compared to switch and Switch is an expensive device than hub. expensive device than hub and
router. switch.

Speed of original hub maximum speed for wireless is 1-10

10Mbps and modern maximum speed is 10Mbps to 100Mbps. Mbps and maximum speed for wired
internet hub is 100Mbps. connections is 100 Mbps.

Routers are used in LANs, MANs and

Hubs are used in LANs. Switch is used in LANs.
WANs.