Computer Network

COMPUTER
NETWORK
NETWORK SOFTWARE
TERMINATORS
Terminator is a device connected to one end of a bus or cable that absorbs signals.
Terminators prevent signal reflection, which can produce interference that causes
signal loss. Most communication systems such as networks and computer buses
require some form of termination at the ends of the data path, although this is often
provided internally by the devices at the ends of the data path.
The purpose of the terminator is to absorb signals so that they do not reflect back
down the line. Ethernet networks require a terminator at both ends of the bus, and
SCSI chains require a single terminator at the end of the chain.
REPEATERS
Repeaters are network devices operating at physical layer of the OSI model that amplify
or regenerate an incoming signal before retransmitting it. They are incorporated in
networks to expand its coverage area. They are also known as signal boosters.
Advantages of Repeaters:
• Repeaters are simple to install and can easily extend the length or the coverage area of networks.
• They are cost effective.
• Repeaters don’t require any processing overhead. The only time they need to be investigated is in case of
degradation of performance.
• They can connect signals using different types of cables.
HUB
A network hub is a node that broadcasts data to every computer or Ethernet-based device
connected to it. A hub is less sophisticated than a switch, the latter of which can isolate data
transmissions to specific devices. Network hubs are best suited for small, simple local area
network (LAN) environments. Hubs cannot provide routing capabilities or other advanced
network services.
There are two types of network hubs: active and passive.

Active hubs repeat and strengthen incoming transmissions. They are also sometimes referred to
as repeaters.
Passive hubs simply serve as a point of connectivity, without any additional capabilities.
SWITCH
Switches are networking devices operating at layer 2 or a data link layer of the OSI
model. They connect devices in a network and use packet switching to send, receive or
forward data packets or data frames over the network.
A switch has many ports, to which computers are plugged in. When a data frame arrives
at any port of a network switch, it examines the destination address, performs necessary
checks and sends the frame to the corresponding device(s).It supports unicast, multicast
as well as broadcast communications.
ROUTER
Routers are networking devices operating at layer 3 or a network layer of the OSI model.
They are responsible for receiving, analyzing, and forwarding data packets among the
connected computer networks. When a data packet arrives, the router inspects the
destination address, consults its routing tables to decide the optimal route and then
transfers the packet along this route. Routers provide protection against broadcast storms.
Routers are more expensive than other networking devices like hubs, bridges and
switches. A router can be used both in LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide
Area Networks). It transfers data in the form of IP packets. In order to transmit data, it
uses IP address mentioned in the destination field of the IP packet.
BRIDGE
Bridges are used to connect two subnetworks that use interchangeable protocols. It combines two
LANs to form an extended LAN. The main difference between the bridge and repeater is that the
bridge has a penetrating efficiency. A bridge accepts all the packets and amplifies all of them to
the other side. The bridges are intelligent devices that allow the passing of only selective packets
from them. A bridge only passes those packets addressed from a node in one network to another
node in the other network. Bridges are used to divide large busy networks into multiple smaller
and interconnected networks to improve performance .Bridges also can increase the physical size
of a network. Bridges are also used to connect a LAN segment through a synchronous modem
relation to another LAN segment at a remote area.
GATEWAY
A gateway is a network node that forms a passage between two networks operating with
different transmission protocols. The most common type of gateways, the network gateway
operates at layer 3, i.e. network layer of the OSI (open systems interconnection) model.
However, depending upon the functionality, a gateway can operate at any of the seven layers of
OSI model. It acts as the entry – exit point for a network since all traffic that flows across the
networks should pass through the gateway. Only the internal traffic between the nodes of a
LAN does not pass through the gateway. Gateway is located at the boundary of a network and
manages all data that inflows or outflows from that network. It forms a passage between two
different networks operating with different transmission protocols. Unidirectional and
Bidirectional are the types of gateways.
ACCESS POINT
An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area network, or WLAN, usually in
an office or large building. An access point connects to a wired router, switch, or hub via
an Ethernet cable, and projects a Wi-Fi signal to a designated area. For example, if you
want to enable Wi-Fi access in your company's reception area but don’t have a router
within range, you can install an access point near the front desk and run an Ethernet cable
through the ceiling back to the server room.
A high-speed Ethernet cable runs from a router to an access point, which transforms the wired
signal into a wireless one. Wireless connectivity is typically the only available option for access
points, establishing links with end-devices using Wi-Fi.
MODEM
Modem stands for Modulation Demodulation. A modem converts the digital data
signals into analogue data signals. They can be installed within the computer in a
development slot applicable for it. They are upgradeable through a software patch to
meet almost any universal standard. They enable high-speed downstream data
transfers by digitally encoding all downstream data while upstream runs at
conventional rates of 33.6 kbps. Some modems provide advanced voice mail features,
and those modems serve as intelligent, answering machines or digital information
systems. They can detect callers originating telephone number, and thus they can
serve as caller ID.

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There are two types of network hubs: active and passive.

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