Network Interface Card

A hardware device through which the computer connects to a network. NIC is an expansion
card, it can be separately attached or can be integrated on a motherboard. It has an
appropriate connector to connect the cable to it.

(Network Interface Card)

Repeater
Repeaters are used to extend LAN. It has only two ports and can connect only two segments
of a network. They are useful when computers in a network are located far away from each
other. Repeaters amplify the signal so that the signal is as strong as the original signal. They
can thus extend the reach of a network.

(Repeater)
Bridge
Bridge is used to connect two LAN segments or topologies. To increase performance,
bridges are used to divide large, busy networks into smaller, interconnected networks.

(Bridge)

Hub
It is like a repeater with multiple ports. But, the hub does not amplify the incoming signal.
Hubs are used to connect multiple segments of the same network. Hubs are also used to
connect computers to networks that use Star topology. The port on the hubs can also be
used to connect another hub, switch, bridge or router. Hubs increase the network traffic
because they broadcast data to all the devices connected to all the ports of the hub.

(Hub)
Switch
Like hub, switch also connects multiple computers in a network or different segments of the
same network. In a hub, at most two computers can interact with each other at a given point
of time. However, in a switch each computer attached to a switch has a simulated LAN
segment. Since a switch does not broadcast data, but sends the data from the source
computer to the destination computer, half of the computers attached to the switch can send
data at the same time.

(Switch)
Router
Router is used to connect heterogeneous networks. A router connects networks that use
different technologies. A router can connect two LANs, a LAN and a WAN, or two WANs. A
router is used to interconnect the networks in the Internet. A router determines which way is
the shortest or fastest in a network, and routes packets accordingly.

(Router)

Gateway
Gateway is to represent devices that connect two dissimilar networks. A gateway can be
implemented in hardware, software, or in both hardware and software. Generally, a gateway
is implemented by software installed within a router.

(Gateway)
Modem (Modulator/Demodulator)
The modem is defined as a networking device that is used to connect devices connected in
the network to the internet. The main function of a modem is to convert the analog signals
that come from telephone wire into a digital form. In digital form, these converted signals are
stored in the form of 0s and 1s. The modem can perform both the task of modulation and
demodulation simultaneously. Modems are majorly used to transfer digital data in personal
systems. The modem is also known as a signal translator as it translates one signal into
another signal by modulating the digital signal into an analog signal for transmission and
then demodulates receiving analog signals into digital signals.