Networking and Internetworking devices

Repeaters
A repeater connects segments of a LAN, A repeater forwards every frame; it has no filtering capability, A repeater is a regenerator; not an amplifier,

Repeaters
Function of a repeater:

Enlarges the physical length of a network

Bridges

A Bridge operates on data link layer

A Bridge can split a network to several sections

Bridges
A bridge can read the physical address, It regenerates the signals, It sends the packet to the destination section, It does not change the physical addresses in a frame, It has a table used in filtering decisions, They may connect the same or different types of cable, Now they are referred as switches_L2.

Benefits?

Bridges

A bridge connecting two LANs

Bridges

A learning bridge and the process of learning

Switches L2

A hierarchy of switches L2

Switch Switch Switch

Routers
Operates on the three first layers, Examines the destination address of the network layer, Strips off the data link layer packet, Chooses the best route for a packet (via routing tables), Forwards only those messages that need to go to other networks.

Routers

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Gateways

Protocol converter.

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Backbone Networks
A backbone network allows several LANs to be connected. In a backbone network, no station is directly connected to the backbone; the stations are part of a LAN, and the backbone connects the LANs.

In a bus backbone, the topology of the backbone is a bus.

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Backbone Networks
In a star backbone, the topology of the backbone is a star; the backbone is just one switch.

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