Networking
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information.
Networks may be classified according to a wide variety of characteristics such as the medium used to transport the data, communication protocol used, scale, topology, and organizational scope.
The rules and data formats for exchanging information in a computer network are defined by communications protocols. Well-known communications protocols are Ethernet, a hardware and Link Layer standard that is ubiquitous in local area networks, and the Internet Protocol Suite, which defines a set of protocols for internetworking, i.e. for data communication between multiple networks, as well as host-to-host data transfer, and application-specific data transmission formats.
List of computer networking devices
Common basic networking devices:- Router: a specialized network device that determines the next network point to which it can forward a data packet towards the destination of the packet. Unlike a gateway, it cannot interface different protocols. Works on OSI layer 3.
- Bridge: a device that connects multiple network segments along the data link layer. Works on OSI layer 2.
- Switch: a device that allocates traffic from one network segment to certain lines (intended destination(s)) which connect the segment to another network segment. So unlike a hub a switch splits the network traffic and sends it to different destinations rather than to all systems on the network. Works on OSI layer 2.
- Hub: connects multiple Ethernet segments together making them act as a single segment. When using a hub, every attached all the objects, compared to switches, which provide a dedicated connection between individual nodes. Works on OSI layer 1.
- Repeater: device to amplify or regenerate digital signals received while sending them from one part of a network into another. Works on OSI layer 1.
- Multilayer Switch: a switch which, in addition to switching on OSI layer 2, provides functionality at higher protocol layers.
- Protocol Converter: a hardware device that converts between two different types of transmissions, such as asynchronous and synchronous transmissions.
- Bridge Router (B router): CombineS router and bridge functionality and are therefore working on OSI layers 2 and 3.
- Proxy: computer network service which allows clients to make indirect network connections to other network services
- Firewall: a piece of hardware or software put on the network to prevent some communications forbidden by the network policy
- Network Address Translator: network service provide as hardware or software that converts internal to external network addresses and vice versa
- Multiplexer: device that combines several electrical signals into a single signal
- Network interface controller a piece of computer hardware to allow the attached computer to communicate by network
- Wireless network interface controller a piece of computer hardware to allow the attached computer to communicate by WLAN
- Modem: device that modulates an analog "carrier" signal (such as sound), to encode digital information, and that also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information, as a computer communicating with another computer over the telephone network
- ISDN terminal adapter (TA): a specialized gateway for ISDN
- Line Driver: a device to increase transmission distance by amplifying the signal. Base-band networks only.
