Networking Devices

Basically networking is two or more computers connected each other in order to share resources. To form this network we need devices. Without networking devices we can’t create a network. In that case we can say a computer network is a set of many networking devices connected together for resource sharing. There are many networking devices available to create a network.

Some networking devices

 

• ·         Network interface card (NIC)
• ·         Router
• ·         Hub
• ·         Modem
• ·         Switch

Network interface card (NIC)

NIC is an most important networking device to build up a network. Sometimes we call this as network adapter card. NIC allows our node to communicate with other nodes. A NIC converts parallel data stream into serial data stream and also serial data stream into parallel data stream. Usually PC’s have NIC in motherboard. If that NIC stopped working, we can buy separate NIC .Router

           

                                   

Router

Router is a famous device in networking. Router Is a layer three device. This device forwards data packet from one network to another. Router recognizes IP address of the destination. And also router have a another special ability. We can describe this by an example. 

            Ex:-If we are going on a journey to a place and we know the destination where we need to go actually. If there are many ways to reach that destination what path we choose? We are selecting the easiest and the shortest way to reach that destination. If any situation that we cant use that way such as roadblocks or any other barriers, we are selecting another way to reach.

 Router is also like that . router selects best way to send packets. If any traffic on that way, router will select any other clear route to send those packets. And also router keeps records of the path. These records are saved in a database table call routing table.             

Hub

 Hub is a device that connects multiple nodes in a single workgroup LAN network. There are hubs available with 4,8,12,24,48 ports. There are two types of hub’s according to the ports.

·         Ethernet hub – All ports have RJ-45 connectors

·         Combo hub – In this type there are different types of connectors ( RJ-45, BNC, AUI)

There are LED lights in hub to show the status, collision’s and other information’s. we can say that the hub is not an intelligent device because if we get the process of a hub , if a person need to share an information to a node over the hub, the hub send’s the information all nodes that connected to that particular network except the sender. And also while a signal is forwarding other ports should not receive any other signal from connected devices. If that happened it will create a collision.

Modem

Modem is a device that used to connect to the internet. In present this device is outdated. It mean  modem is not so popular in current networking world. Anyway modem is also a networking device and it helps to build a network.

Basically when we get an internet connection from ISP they gives us the internet connection as telephone lines. That means analog signals. But the PC’s cannot understand analog signals. PC’s understand digital signals. In that case we need to convert analog signals into digital signals. The process of a modem is to convert analog signal into digital signal and also converts digital signals into analog signals. This process call modulation and demodulation.

Switch

Switch is a popular networking device in present. To share the network connection between lot of PC’s most of peoples uses switch. This device is more power full and intelligent rather than the hub. Switches are available with 4,8,12,24,48,64 ports.

The process of the switch is if a person sends a data packet to a particular person who connected in the network, switch will not send the data packet to all PC’s connected to the network. The switch will send the data packet to that particular PC only. To this process switch recognizes the MAC address of the particular PC. In this case this device is most popular. And a advantage of switch is protection. That mean the data packet will not send to other PC’s, so they cant read or get that data . the particular person will only receive the data.

Networking Softwares

Virus guard

There are many virus in the world. in other words there are many harmful software’s, websites, and attacks in computer world. and also we can say Trojans, spy’s , malwares are harmful for our PC’s . if they attacked our node, node will occur problems. To prevent that there are software call virus guards.

Basically a virus guards duty is to find all viruses. And it will ask from us to whether allow to delete that virus or not or it will automatically delete that virus from PC. There are many virus guards available.

Avast Antivirus Software

Among security companies, Avast is one of largest security company in the world. Avast is using next-gen technologies. From this technology avast can fight with cyber attacks in real time. In this virus protection software there are many features like spyware protection, malware protection, file shield, mail shield and ETC. Avast is one of popular antivirus software.

Firewall

Basically a firewall is a network security system. It controls all our incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewall is also a security software. Firewall prevents unauthorized access from a private network. Firewall need to do some tasks. Those are

·         Defend resources

·         Validate access

·         Manage and control network traffic

·         Record and report on events

(https://personalfirewall.comodo.com ,2018)