Wednesday 19 December 2012

Computer Networking Hardware Architecture Devices


Computer  Networking Hardware Architecture Devices,Computer  Networking,Computer Networking Hardware ,Networking ,Computer  Computer  Networking Hardware ArchitectureComputer  Networking Devices,Computer  Networking Hardware Devices, Networking HardwareNetworking ArchitectureNetworking DevicesComputer  ArchitectureNetworking Hardware Devices





Chapter 3: Hardware
o        Introduction
o        File Server
o        Workstations
o        Network Interface Cards
o        Switches 
o        Hubs
o        Repeaters
o        Bridges
o        Routers
                      
       o        Introduction to 
             computer network hardware devices

In the world of computers, networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for  sharing data. Networks are built with a mixture of computer hardware and computer software.

computer network, or a network, is a collection of computers and hardware's interconnected by a transmission  channel that allow sharing of resources and information. 


Network hardware  is a technical term, which is commonly related with hardware devices used in setting up a computer network. These hardware devices are universal in nature and interconnected with each other with the help of a transmission medium.

computer network is a group of computers that shares information across wireless or wired technology. computer networking requires two computers , a protocol and the hardware devices to connect them.


Networking hardwares


Networking Hardware Devices includes :-

 o       File Server
o        Workstations
o        Network Interface Cards
o        Switches 
o        Hubs
o        Repeaters
o        Bridges
o        Routers

and of course a computer to perform data-processing and communications within the network


 o     computer network hardware device----   
                                File Server
                          
In a computer network, file servers are regarded as centralized network elements. file servers are high power processing machines (computers ), used to control and monitor the data sharing activities over a network. With a file server in a network,one workstation can send or receive data from another workstation.

A server is a part of the networkA server is a machine with a massive storage capabilities and faster processing, so multiple users can save and use resources.


A file servers stands at the heart of most networks

File server is a very fast computer with a large amount of RAM and storage space, along with a fast network interface card


The file server controls the communication of information between the nodes on a network.


File servers should have at least the following characteristics:



•   800 MHz or faster microprocessor (Pentium 3 or 4, G4 or G5).

•   A fast hard drive with at least 120 GB of storage.

•  A RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) to preserve data after a disk casualty.

•  A tape back-up unit (i.e. DAT, JAZ, Zip, or CD-RW drive).

•  Numerous expansion slots.

•  Fast network interface card.

•  At least of 512 MB of RAM.


o          computer network hardware device----             
                             Workstations


A workstation is the primary network hardware which is usually incorporated as a network end-point. 

In normal networks, the workstation can be a personal computer , printer, or scanner, carrying a Network Interface Card (NIC) for presenting the unique identity and an Internet Protocol (IP) address for its distinct address,in a computer network.

It is through these workstations that users share data with each other in a network.


All of the user computers connected to a network are called workstations
         
                A workstation is a computer that is configured with a network interface card, networking software, and the appropriate cables. 

Workstations do not need floppy disk drives because files can be saved on the file servers. Almost any computer can serve as a network workstation.


o         computer network hardware device----  
                     Network Interface Cards



network interface card (NIC) is also called as a network adapter.  Network Interface Card is a piece of hardware in a computer that allows it to join a 
network.


Network Interface Card is required in a network 

so that the computers 
can communicate. A 
Network 
Interface Card 
is an integral part of a
compute network 
because it provides the computer 
a way to send and retrieve data.
Network Interface Card are pieces of network hardware that are installed in PCs and laptops, allowing the motherboard of a computer to physically access a LAN.


 Network Interface Cards are a major factor in determining the speed and performance of a network

The most common protocol of NICs (
Network 
Interface Card
)
 is 
Ethernet cards (LocalTalk connectors and Token Ring cards are seldom used in current networks).

It's an Ethernet NIC (
Network 
Interface Card
that allows most people to access broadband Internet via a cable connection.


The Network 
Interface Card
(NIC) provides the physical connection between the 
network 
and the computer workstation




Most NICs (Network Interface Card)are internal, and are included in the purchase of most computers.


o       computer network hardware device----  
                             Switches 



network 
switch is a 
computer 
networking device that is used to combine multiple ports within one local area network 
(LAN).




Network switches copy frames (packets of data) from one port to another i.e., they help to redirect traffics between 
computers 
in a local 
network 
Switches are now more popular on networks 
than hubs.

 A 
switch 
is very similar to a hub except that it recognizes the MAC address of each device connected to it. 




The 
switch 
only outputs received messages onto the socket associated with the MAC address in the message header.




switch 
is a device that forwards and filters data based on the MAC address of the network cards involved in the communication. 

switch 
operates at layer two of the open systems interconnection reference model (the OSI model
).



switch 
is a device that provides a central connection point for cables from workstations, servers, and other hardware devices.Most switches are active, that is they electrically amplify the signal as it moves from one hardware device to another. Switches no longer broadcast network packets as hubs .



Switches are:

Usually configured with 8, 12, or 24 RJ-45 ports.

Switches often used in a star or tree topology.
Sold with specialized software for port management.
Switches are also called hubs.
 Switches  are usually installed in a standardized metal rack that also may store net modems, bridges, or routers.



o        computer network hardware device----  
                                    Hubs

A hub is a device similar to a switch.
A hub is not capable of filtering the data packets based on their MAC address, and instead forwards all packets to all devices
A switch usually has much better performance value on a network.

A hub is an electronic box with an array of sockets. 
Each device on the network connects by a cable plugged into one of the sockets. 

The hub is the simplest piece of hardware that can form a network
Hub copies any incoming message onto all its other sockets, thus it is a repeater, or a splitter. 
The hub does not use any addressing system, but it duplicates an input into output. The computers on the network carries networking software sufficiently  to detect its address and ignore any traffic intended for other computers.

o     computer network hardware device----  
                               Repeaters

A Repeater enables signals to travel longer distances over a network.
Repeaters work at the OSI's Physical layer.
 A repeater regenerates the received signals and then re-transmits the regenerated  signals on other segments.

A
repeater is a 
hardware devices that boost the signal
that loses strength as it passes along a cable. 
The repeater electrically amplifies the signal it receives and rebroadcasts it. 

Repeaters can be separate devices or they can be incorporated into a concentrator. 

Repeaters are used when the total length of the network 
cable exceeds the standard set for the type of cable being used.


o       computer network hardware device----  
                                Bridges

A bridge is a simple switch that usually only has two sockets.

 A switch is often called a multi-port bridge and there is often confusion between the identity of the two devices

The hub connects two segments of a network

 The bridge records the MAC addresses of the computers on each segment and passes through data packets from one segment to the other.

A bridge is a device that allows you to segment a large network into two smaller, more efficient networks

A bridge monitors the information traffic on both sides of the network so that it can pass packets of information to the correct location. 

Most bridges "listen" to the network and automatically figure out the address of each computer on both sides of the bridge

The bridge can inspect each message and, if necessary, broadcast it on the other side of the network.
The bridge manages the traffic to maintain the performance on both sides of the network.
 The bridge  keeps information flowing on both sides of the network, but  the bridge does not allow unnecessary traffic through. 

Bridges can be used to connect different types of cabling, or physical topologies. Bridges  can be used between networks with the same protocol.


o     computer network hardware device----  
                                    Routers


The basic hardware needed for a computer network is a router and network cards
A router directs traffic to the different computers 
router is similar to a traffic light. 
router handles network traffic and sends it to the different segments of the network.

Routers carry data across networks i.e.,from one network to another and on to another. 
Bridges and switches deal with MAC addresses. 
Routers deal with IP addresses. With an IP address, a router  an send data anywhere in the world, as long as it is connected to the Internet.

router is a network hardware devices that interconnects computer networks 
router serves as a kind of gateway, connecting two or more networks and redirecting exchange of data packets between them. 
For example, a router can be used to connect a user's computer to the Internet via a broadband connection. 

A network is created between the user and the router , and another network is produced between the router and the Internet service provider (ISP). 
The router connects the two networks , allowing the user to browse the Internet in a fast and secure way.

router is a network hardware devices that joins multiple networks together. The router is responsible for the computers ' connection to the Internet, and operates at layer three of the OSI model.

router translates information from one network to another. Routers selects the best path to route a message, based on the destination address and origin. 

 While bridges know the addresses of all computers on each side of the network, routers know the addresses of computers , bridges, and other routers on the network

Routers can even "listen" to the entire network to determine which sections are busiest .Router then redirect data around those sections until they clear up.

Routers also determines the best route to send the data over the Internet.

 Routers can:

Router directs signal traffic efficiently.
Router messages between any two protocols.
Router messages between linear bus topology, star topology, and star-wired ring topology.
Router messages across fiber optic cabling, coaxial cabling, and twisted-pair cabling.



home network hardwares



 for more images of computer network hardware device----click here:-


computer hardware networking architecture devices