MODULE III

INTRODUCTION TO VARIOUS NETWORKING DEVICE

HUBS
 Hub is physical layer device.
 A hub is a device used in a wired network to connect computers/ devices of the same
network.
 It is a small, simple, passive and inexpensive device
 It has many port.
 Computers/devices are connected to ports of the hub using Ethernet cable.
 When NIC of one computer sends data packets to hub, the hub transmits the packets to all
other computers connected to it (broadcasting).
 Each computer is responsible for determining its data packets. The computer for which the
data packets are intended accepts it. Other computers on the network discards these data
packets.
 The main disadvantage of hub is that it increases the network traffic and reduces the
effective bandwidth, as it transmits data packets to all devices connected to it.
Type of Hubs
(1) Passive Hubs:
The passive hubs broadcast the signal on to the network without amplify or
regenerating the signal.
(2) Active Hubs:
It amplifies and regenerate the incoming signal before broadcasting.
(3) Intelligent Hub:
They are active hubs that provide additional network management facilities. It
provides flexible data rate, it monitors traffic.

ROUTERS
 Router is network layer device.
 A router is a device that can interconnect two networks of the same type using the
same protocol.
 It can find the optimal path for data packets to travel and reduce the amount of traffic on
a network.
 Even though its operations are similar to a bridge, it is more intelligent.

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  The router can check the device address and the network address and can use algorithms
to find the best path for packets to reach the destination.
 Router use IP Address.
 Router maintain a routing table containing routing information.
 There are two type of routing table, static routing table and dynamic routing table.

Switch
 Switch is data link layer device.
 A switch is an intelligent device that connects several computers to form a network.
 It uses MAC (medium access control) address.
 It is a higher performance alternative to a hub.
 It looks exactly like a hub.
 Switches are capable of determining the destination and redirect the data only to the
intended node.
 Switch performs this by storing the addresses of all the devices connected to it in a table.
 When a data packet is send by one device, the switch reads the destination address on the
packet and transmits the packet to the destination device with the help of the table.
 A switch performs better than a hub on busy networks, since it generates less network
traffic in delivering messages.
 It supports both unicasting and multicasting.

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Modem
 A modem is an electronic device used for communication between computers through
telephone lines.
 The name is formed from the first three letters of the two words modulator and
demodulator.
 It converts digital signals received from a computer to analog signals (modulation)
for telephone lines.
 It also converts the analog signals received back from telephone lines to digital signals
(demodulation) for the computer.
 The speed of the modem determines how fast it can send and receive information through
telephone lines.
 It works as signal translator.
 The speed of modem is measured in bits per second (bps).

Type of modem
1. Dial up modem: it’s used to connect telephone lines called as a dial up connection.
2. DSL modem: (digital subscriber line) enable high speed data transmission on
telephone lines.
3. External modem: enable high speed data transmission, it externally connected outside
the cable.
4. Internal modem: it internally connected on CPU

Repeater
 Repeaters are defined as a networking device that is used to amplify and generate
the incoming signal.
 Repeaters is a physical layer device of OSI model.
 The main aim of using a repeater is to increase the networking distance by increasing the
strength and quality of signals. The performance of Local Area Networks
(LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) repeaters are used.
 Using repeaters helps to reduce error, and loss of data and provides with delivery of data
at specified locations only.

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  The major advantage of using a repeater is that it provides with transfer of data with more
security and over a long distance.
 It is also known as signal boosters.
 It is a two port device.
Type of repeaters
Based on signal they regenerate
1. Analog Repeater: regenerate analog signals only
2. Digital Repeater: Digital repeaters are the type of repeaters that does not amplify
digital signal but regenerates it directly.
Based on network they connected
1. Wired Repeaters: Wired repeaters are used in wired Local Area
Networks(LANs). Wired repeater receives the signal and repeats it. This helps to
extend the network travel data without losing its strength and data.
2. Wireless Repeaters: Wireless repeaters are used in wireless Local Area
Networks(LANs) and Cellular networks. A router connected in the network sends
wireless signal to the repeater. Once received, repeater broadcast the signal to
increase the coverage of network.

Bridge
 It operates on data link layer (also in physical layer)
 The bridge is a networking device in a computer network that is used to connect
multiple LANs to a larger LAN.
 The bridge is a networking device that connects the larger LAN networks with the group
of smaller LAN networks.
 It is a two port device.
 It can connect two dissimilar LANs
 A bridge divides a LAN into two segments.

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Brouter
 A brouter is a networking device that functions both as a bridge and a router.
 It can forward data between networks (serving as a bridge), but can also route data to
individual systems within a network (serving as a router).
Gateway
 A gateway is a network node or device that connects two networks that use different
transmission protocols.
 Gateways play an important role in connecting two networks.
 It works as the entry-exit point for a network because all traffic that passes across the
networks must pass through the gateway.
 It operates on all layer that is lowest layer to topmost layer

Wired Technology
Wired technology as we all know, “wired” refers to any physical medium made up
of cables. Copper wire, twisted pair, or fiber optic cables are all options. A wired network
employs wires to link devices to the Internet or another network, such as laptops or desktop PCs.

Wireless Technology
Wireless Network: “Wireless” means without wire, media that is made up of
electromagnetic waves (EM Waves) or infrared waves. Antennas or sensors will be present on
all wireless devices. Cellular phones, wireless sensors, TV remotes, satellite disc receiver s, and
laptops with WLAN cards are all examples of wireless devices. For data or voice
communication, a wireless network uses radiofrequency waves rather than wires. Wireless
technology is:
1. Bluetooth
2. Infra-red
3. Wi-Fi
4. Wi max
Infra-red
 Infrared (IR) technology utilizes light waves with longer wavelengths than visible light to
transmit data or control signals.
 The electromagnetic waves having frequencies from 300 GHz to 400 THz.
 IR uses line-of-sight propagation

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  Infrared light is that it cannot penetrate the walls. This represents that it can easily include
it within a room.
 The major disadvantage is that the sun creates emission in the infrared band. This can
generate several interferences with IR transmission.
 Application: Remote controls (TVs, air conditioners, etc.)

Wi-Fi
 Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
 Wi-Fi is a type of wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to the
internet or communicate with each other without the use of cables or wires.
 It provides in-building broadband coverage.
 Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data.
 Operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.
 Range: typically, 32 meters (100 feet) indoors, 100 meters (330 feet) outdoors.
 Speed: up to 9.6 gbps (gigabits per second).
 We can connect devices like mobile, computers, TV, digital camera etc.

WiMAX
 Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)
 WiMAX is one of the hottest broadband wireless technologies around today.
 WiMAX is a wireless broadband technology that provides high-speed internet connectivity
over long distances.
 It combines benefits of broadband and wireless.
 WiMAX systems are expected to deliver broadband access services to residential and
enterprise customers in an economical way.
 WiMAX would operate similar to Wi-Fi, but at higher speeds over greater distances and
for a greater number of users.
 WiMAX has the ability to provide service even in areas that are difficult for wired
infrastructure.
 It is Based on Wireless MAN technology.
 Frequency range of 2GHz to 11GHz.
Characteristics
o Hundreds of users can connect to a single station.
o Provide 45km coverage.
o Line of sight is not required.
o Weather condition could interrupt the signal.
o High cost of installation and operation.

Bluetooth
 Bluetooth wireless technology is a short range communications technology
 Bluetooth technology is based on Ad-hoc technology also known as Ad-hoc Pico nets,
which is a local area network with a very limited coverage.
 It provides high levels of security.

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 Used for Short-range communication (typically 10 meters/33 feet)
 Low power consumption.
 Low data rate (up to 2 Mbps)
 Frequency hopping spread spectrum
 Bluetooth define two type of network piconets and scatternets
Piconets
o A Bluetooth network is called a piconet or small net.
o A piconet can have up to 8 stations. One of which is called the primary, then rest
are called secondary.
o Piconet have only one primary (also called master) others are called secondary
(also called slave)
o Communication between primary and secondary can be one- to- one or one- to –
many
o A piconet can have maximum of seven secondary.
Scatternet
 Piconet can be combined to form what is called a scatternet.
 A secondary station in one piconet can be primary in another piconet.
 A station can be a member of two piconet.