Plasma university

❑ Presentation:
ofhardware
port network hardware
a set of physical or network devices that are essential for interaction and
en hardware units operational on a computer network. These are dedicated
s that connect to each other and enable a network to function effectively and

penetrated its tentacles into every nook and corner of our lives. It has gone
ustry add-on to an inevitable necessity. As tech enablement is driving the
ion, it’s important for businesses to build a network that is secure, reliable
touch with their applications. The core of this very foundation is leveraged
ardware.
ys a key role as industries grow as it supports scalability. It integrates any
s depending on the enterprise’s needs. Network hardware helps establish an
munication, thereby improving the business standards. It also promotes
nables sharing of resources, information, and software with ease.
 Types Of Network Hardware
✓ Networkig swich
✓ Modern
✓ Networking brige
✓ Ethernet hub
✓ Gateway
✓ Repeater
✓ Ethernet card
✓ Wireless access point
✓ cables
What Is network Hardware?

Learning the answer to 'What is network hardware?' can be helpful

if you work in an IT-related role. It is a set of interconnected
physical devices that facilitate communication and data sharing
between two or more computers connected to a network. Some
examples of network hardware include modems, routers, cables,
network interface cards, antennas and other equipment. These
devices operate in the following layers:
➢ Physical layer: The physical layer enables physical connection between
devices. It transmits computer bits through electrical or mechanical devices
such as copper wires and cables.

➢ Data link layer: The data link layer receives the computer bits from the
physical layer and transmits them between different nodes in the network. It
also provides techniques for checking transmission errors that might occur in
the physical layer.
➢ Network layer: The network layer facilitates the transfer of data packets between nodes by
assigning destination and source internet protocol (IP) addresses to each data segment. It also
contains protocols that handle connections, encryption and error checking.

➢ Transport layer: The transport layer ensures the reliable transmission of data
packets across the network. It ensures that the order of data packets
transmitted at the source and destination is the same.
 4= Challenges of Network Hardware

1:Physical connectivity challenges

Defective cables and connectors on a network can generate errors on the network
devices to which they are connected. The problem aggravates due to a broken or
malfunctioning cable. The issue can even crop up on the outside of the LAN
infrastructure. Damage to a copper cable or fiber optic connector can significantly
reduce the volume of data it can transfer. It can also lead to considerable packet
loss.
 3. Temperature issues
Most hardware failures occur due to an abnormal spike in
temperature. Abnormal heating or cooling in network
units can cause the abrupt shutting down or freezing of
hardware systems, which eventually results in their
failure. As network devices compute large quantities of
data, the optimal temperature needs to be maintained to
function efficiently. 5. Ventilation problems
 2: Malfunctioning hardware device

: Network issues can arise due to malfunctioning network

equipment, including firewalls, routers, switches, and
wireless access points. The possible reasons for this
could be bad configurations, faulty connections, or even
disabled devices. It is essential to ensure that all the
devices on the network are configured appropriately, as
misconfiguration issues can affect different parts of the
network, thereby impacting its performance. Such a
challenge can be countered by paying close attention to
all the devices and switches to verify if they are working
normally.
 4. Ventilation problems

As the temperature of the network equipment rises, the

performance and speed of its operation slow down. It can
even break down in some cases. Poor ventilation arising
due to inappropriate device arrangement or wrongful fan
setup may not be able to tackle or handle the extra heat
produced by network devices. This can worsen and have
an adverse effect on network productivity.
 Benefits Of Using Networking Hardware

❑ enables seamless communication: An intricate connection of

networking devices and software protocols enables
communication and data transfer across multiple devices
connected to the internet

❑ = Facilitates resource sharing: A computer's resources are accessible

to other computers on a network. The resources can include files,
multimedia and hardware devices such as printers and scanners
accessible remotely.
✓ Enables remote access: Once the information is
available on a network, users can access it from
anywhere in the world.
Best Practices For Network Hardware Management

Here are some best practices to follow when configuring and

managing network hardware:

❖ Prepare a detailed document on the network. Documenting all

the devices in a network, along with their topologies and protocols,
can help provide an in-depth understanding of the network
architecture. This helps troubleshoot issues and make
configuration changes with ease without disrupting network
performance.
❖ Identify cable connectivity issues. In most cases, a damaged
cable can disrupt network connectivity. Checking the cables
for damage or faulty connections is the first step in
identifying connectivity issues.

❖ Monitor the hardware for issues. It is helpful to monitor the network

hardware for issues instead of resolving them after they have failed.
Preemptive maintenance saves significant time and resources and
ensures minimal disruption to services.
❖ Automate basic tasks. Some troubleshooting tasks can
be time-consuming and repetitive. It is beneficial to
automate these tasks so that technicians can focus on
other critical hardware issues.