Networking Components

Ben Sunny LTEC 4550 Networking Components

Table of Contents This presentation will give you a description of the following components listed below. • Hub • Switch • Router • Bridge • Gateway • Firewall • Wireless AP

Network Component Hub • This device will send data from one computer to all the other computers that are connected to the network. • The hub acts like a repeater and is not considered a router. With this, there is no filtrations taken or any redirection of data between the networks/ports. • The cost for a decent Hub ranges from $19.99 to $100.

Hub Example The manufacturers that have well obtained Hubs are Sun Systems, Oracle, and Cisco. Cisco Hub

Network Component Switch • This device acts somewhat like a Hub, but works using a Layer 2 address on the OSI model. • A Switch usually contains software that builds routing tables. With this technique, it helps improve the traffic flow inside the network. With this change, it makes it a more valuable option over the use of a Hub. • The cost for a switch device range for your personal home network costs $40 to $150. But the ones located in offices can be in the $1000’s.

Switch Example Cisco and D-Link Juniper are well known manufacturers. D-Link Switch

Hub Vs. Switch

Network Component Router • This device is more powerful than a switch or router. It operates at OSI Layer 3 with the use of IP addresses. Routers can be configured to be used as firewalls or extensive networks. • The Router is what is most commonly found in our homes today. With our ISP provider, a router is usually rented or given to us at the time of purchase. It is usually all that is needed to give us a great connection to the internet. • For a dependable router, the cost can get expensive. But the ones that are efficient are usually given to us by our ISP’s. But if you are looking to purchase one for your home, the cost can range anywhere from $30 to $250.

Router Example Belkin, Netgear, Linksys are all great routers that will work for your home network. These are also the type that will be great for the price paid. LINKSYS Wireless Router

Network Component Bridge • The bridge acts similar to what was described in the Switch section. It operates using an Ethernet MAC for routing. The way to use the network equipment to allow more communications to happen in between the networks. In the OSI model, bridging takes place in the first two layers. • The bridging component has four types of technologies. Simple, multiport, transparent, source route. People with home or small office networks use a bridge for the different information needed to share files among all computers in that local network. Wired computers are able to communicate with other wired computers, and wireless with wireless computers. • The cost for a bridge ranges from $40 to $200 for a home or office use one.

Bridge Example Netgear is a valuable type of Bridge to be used for your personal network. Netgear Bridge

Network Component Gateway • A link made by a gateway connects between two computer programs. It is basically connecting in the same manner as using a forum or proxy server between the networks. A gateway, also known as a protocol converter, can be used in any network OSI layer. • This device is more complex than a router or switch component. For it is communication using more than one protocol. They are using a connection over the internet and can be accessed by the users in that server via this network type. • The cost for a gateway server from what I have seen range from $65 to $500.

Gateway Example Juniper seems to be a good component network for using a gateway type server. Juniper SRX210 Service Gateway

Network Component Firewall • In the computing world, a firewall is a software that is a network that controls the incoming and outgoing traffic . All items run through a security system and is then approved/disapproved based on the given set of rules. • The benefits of having a firewall is it can protect against many of the threats that are received from the public internet. It helps keep viruses and other types of malware from sometimes getting through to your personal computer. It helps set a barrier between a trusted internal network with another network. • The firewall cost can get very expensive with the different setups. It can range from $100 to the $1000s.

Firewall Example Below is a diagram on how the firewall works to your benefit. Firewall diagram

Network Component Wireless access point (WAP) • The Wireless Access Point (WAP) is an example of wireless networking. This is what connects both the wired and wireless world together. They operate in the IEEE 802.11. • The WAP is usually connected to the router. But in today’s technological world, our routers usually come with a integral component built inside to avoid this process. This was a huge breakthrough in our world today. It makes the uses of wires needed to access the internet disappear and no longer needed. We have many advantages from this type of device and helps avoid difficult wired connections. • Wireless Access Points can range anywhere between $25 and $140 depending on the range and stability required

WAP Example Wireless networks are setup at homes, businesses, and our schools to help us access information throughout the building. Cisco and LINKSYS (just like our routers) are great buys. Wireless Access Point

Networking Components