14. Network Hardware

Part 14 of Computer Networking Fundamentals: Network Hardware

Network Hardware

At the end of this episode, I will be able to:

1. Compare and contrast common network hardware.

Learner Objective: Compare and contrast common network hardware

Description: In this episode, the learner will be introduced to common network hardware.

• Introduction to Network Infrastructure
  • Network Hardware
    • Network adapters - a component that controls network communications for the device it is connect to or integrated into
    • Repeaters/extenders - a network component that regenerates a signal, then re-transmits the signal to propagate the communications farther.
    • Hubs - an older, largely obsolete network connectivity device that acts as a multi-port repeater. These network components do not make decisions on where to send the traffic and can reduce performance.
    • Switches - a network connectivity device that forwards network communications between a series of ports. These devices rely on direct connections and use MAC addresses to determine where to send traffic.
    • Routers - a network connectivity device that forwards traffic between networks based on IP addresses.
    • Firewalls - a network component that is used to secure and control network traffic based on predetermined criteria.
    • Voice Over IP (VoIP) phones - a network device can digitizes voice communications that can be routed across TCP/IP networks.
    • Access points - a network connectivity device that allows wireless clients access to a wired network.
    • Cable modems - a common network connectivity device used to provide Internet access using coaxial media.
    • Dial-up modems - a network connectivity device that modulates and demodulates a digital signal, sent over analog PSTN (public switched telephone network) lines.