MODULE : 2

COMPUTER NETWORKS
Network Devices / Hardware

 NIC (Network interface card / Network interface unit / Terminal access point / Ethernet card
/ LAN card)
 It is a device that is attached to each of the workstations and the server and helps to
establish the connection with the network.
 MAC address : Media Access Control Address
 It is a unique physical address assigned to every NIC by its manufacturer to uniquely
identify a node on a network.
 It is a 6 byte address with each byte separated by colon
Example : 10 : B5 : 03 : 63 : 2E : FC, where
10 : B5 : 03 Manufacturer id : It is assigned to manufacturer by IEEE
63 : 2E : FC  Card Number : It is assigned by the manufacturer
Note : IEEE stands for Institue of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

 Hub : It is a networking device having multiple ports that are used to connect multiple
computers to form a network. It is a half-duplex device. It is of two types :-
 Active hub : Power is required as they amplify the signal before passing it on. They
are used like repeaters to extend the length of a network.
 Passive hub : Power is not required as they do not amplify the signal before passing it
on.
Concentrator : It is a device that provides a central connection point for cables from workstations,
servers and peripherals
 Switch : It is a networking device having multiple ports that are used to connect multiple
computers to form a network.
 It is a full-duplex device
 It sends data directly to the destination port instead of all the ports using MAC address
table in switch.

 Bridge :
 It is used to connect two networks that follow the same protocol.
 It only allow those messages that need to get to the other side to cross the bridge.
 It stores the MAC address of the PCs available in the network.
 It is used to reduce the traffic.

 Router : It is networking device that forwards data from one network to another and can also
handle different protocols.
 It ensures that packets are travelling the most efficient paths (shortest path) to their
destinations with the help of routing table.
 It uses IP address.
 It is used to connect two or more LANs or WANs.
  Gateway : It is a networking device that connects dissimilar networks. It is capable of
understanding different address architectures used in different networks and seamless
transition between these address architectures.

 Wi Fi Card : It is either an internal or external local area network adaptor with a built-in
wireless radio and antenna.

 Access Point (Wireless access point) : It is a hardware device that connects computing
devices on wireless LAN with a fixed wire network.
 The AP is connected to a fixed wire network and then it broadcast wireless signals
that computing devices having Wi Fi cards can detect. Using these wireless signals,
the computing devices will get connected to fixed wired network via AP.
 Every AP has a range and only the devices within that range can connect to the
network using AP.
 Every AP also has a limit on the number of computing devices it can attach to
simultaneously
.
Advantages of Access Points
 Easier Installation and maintenance
 Provides mobility
 Stable signals
 Easy of work
 Bigger Network Coverage