Hardware

Requirement of a
Network
 Objectives
• By the end of the lesson, each student will be
able to:
i. identify hardware devices that are required to
make a standalone computer to become
workstation
ii. explain the function of Network Interface Unit
(NIU)
iii. identify hub
iv. identify and explain different types of
communication channel
 Hardware requirement of a Network

1. Network Interface Unit (NIU)

2. Hub
3. Communication Channels
 1. Network Interface Unit (NIU)
• it is a device that is
attached to each of the
workstations and server
• help workstations to
establish a connection
with the server
• Also called Terminal Access
Point (TAP)/ Network
Interface Card (NIC)
 2. Hub

A device used to connect computers to each

other in networking
It has one link with server and rest with the
other computers
 3. Communication Channels

Communication
channels -
“Connecting cables”
i. Twisted Pair
Cables
ii. Coaxial Cables
iii. Fiber Optic Cables
iv. Microwave
transmission
 i. Twisted Pair Cable
• It consists of two insulated copper wires
twisted in a spiral pattern to transmit data
• One pair acts as a single communication link
• Extensively used in telephone system
• Inexpensive transmission media
 Types of Twisted Pair Cable

i. Unshielded
Twisted Pair
Cable
ii. Shielded
Twisted Pair
Cable
 ii. Coaxial Cables

 A cable made up of central copper wire surrounded

by a conductive sleeve separated by a insulation
 Widely used in cable TVs
 Types of Coaxial Cable

i. Base Band
• Can transmit
ii. Broad Band
voice, data or
video on a
single channel
at a very high
• Carry multiple signals speed
at a time • Only single
message can
travel at a time
iii. Fiber Optic Cables
 A thin strand of light
conducting glass or
plastic fiber
 Carries data in the form
of light signals
 It has a capacity to carry
data at extremely high
speed
 iv. Microwave
Transmission

 Microwave signals are used to transmit data over a

long distance through air without any wire or cable
 Why Microwave Transmission?
Due to fading signals that cannot be amplified
The terrain is rugged such as desert, sea, hill, etc.
Thanks