Practical 4
Aim:- Study and Test various Network devices available at
Department/Institute. (Repeater, Hub, Switch, Bridge, Router and
Gateway).
1. Repeater
• Purpose: A repeater is used to regenerate
or amplify network signals to extend the range
of a network.
• Study:
o Understand how a repeater works at the
physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model.
o Learn about signal degradation and how
repeaters help overcome it.
• Testing:
o Set up a long cable connection and observe signal degradation.
o Insert a repeater in the middle and test the signal strength and network
performance.
o Use tools like a cable tester or network analyzer to measure signal
quality.
2. Hub
• Purpose: A hub is a basic networking device that
connects multiple devices in a LAN and broadcasts data to
all connected devices.
• Study:
o Learn
about the working of a hub at the physical layer
(Layer 1).
o Understand the concept of collision domains and how hubs handle
data.
• Testing:
o Connect multiple devices to the hub and observe how data is broadcast.
o
Use a packet analyzer (e.g., Wireshark) to monitor traffic and see how
the hub forwards packets to all ports. o Test network performance and
collision rates in a hub-based network.
3. Switch
• Purpose:A switch is an intelligent device that connects devices
in a LAN and forwards data only to the intended recipient.
• Study:
o Understand how a switch operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) and
uses MAC addresses for forwarding decisions.
o Learn about VLANs, switching tables, and how switches reduce
collisions.
• Testing:
o Connect multiple devices to the switch and observe how it forwards
data based on MAC addresses.
o Configure VLANs and test inter-VLAN and intra-VLAN communication.
o Use tools like Wireshark to analyze traffic and verify that the switch
does not broadcast data unnecessarily.
4. Bridge
• Purpose: A bridge connects two network segments
and filters traffic based on MAC addresses.
• Study:
o Learn how a bridge operates at the data link layer
(Layer 2).
o Understand the difference between a bridge and a switch.
• Testing:
o Set up two separate network segments and connect them using a
bridge.
o Observe how the bridge filters and forwards traffic between the
segments.
o
Test network performance and analyze how the bridge reduces
unnecessary traffic.
5. Router
• Purpose: A router connects multiple networks and
routes data packets based on IP addresses.
• Study:
o Understand how a router operates at the network layer (Layer 3) and
uses routing tables.
o Learn about static and dynamic routing protocols (e.g., RIP, OSPF, BGP).
• Testing:
o Set up multiple networks and connect them using a router. o Configure
static and dynamic routing protocols and test connectivity. o Use tools
like ping, traceroute, and netstat to test routing functionality. o Analyze
routing tables and observe how the router makes forwarding decisions.
6. Gateway
• Purpose: A gateway connects networks with different
protocols or architectures and acts as a translator.
• Study: o Understand how a gateway operates at multiple
layers of the OSI model.
o Learn about protocol conversion and its role in
connecting dissimilar networks.
• Testing:
o Set up two networks with different protocols (e.g., IPv4 and IPv6) and
connect them using a gateway.
o Test communication between the networks and observe how the
gateway translates protocols.
Use network monitoring tools to analyze traffic and verify protocol
conversion
o