Basic Network Hardware (Fully Explained)
The essential hardware components required to establish a network include the following:
Network Cables
Network cables serve as the medium for transmitting data between devices. A widely utilized type of network cable is the category 5 cable equipped with an RJ 45 connector, as illustrated in the image below:
Routers
A router acts as a connecting device that facilitates the transfer of data packets across various computer networks. They are commonly employed to link a PC or an organization's LAN to a broadband internet connection. Routers feature RJ-45 ports, allowing computers and other devices to connect via network cables.
Repeaters, Hubs, and Switches
Repeaters, hubs, and switches are used to link network devices, enabling them to operate as a unified segment.
A repeater captures a signal, regenerates it, and then retransmits it, allowing the signal to cover greater distances.
A hub functions as a multiport repeater with several input/output ports, ensuring that any input at one port is accessible at all other ports.
A switch receives data from a port, employs packet switching to identify the destination device, and then directs the data specifically to that destination, rather than broadcasting it like a hub.
Bridges
A bridge connects two distinct Ethernet network segments, forwarding packets from the source network to the target network.
Gateways
A gateway links entirely different networks that operate on various protocols. It serves as both the entry and exit point of a network, managing access to other networks.
Network Interface Cards
A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a computer component that connects it to a network. There are two types of network cards: internal network cards and external network cards.
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