Main Components Of Networks Flashcards
What is a NIC
Network Interface Card
- also known as network adapter, Ethernet or lab card
- allows network device to communicate with another network device
= conversion of data packets between two data transmission technologies
Parallel data transmission technology: transmit data internally
Serial data transmission technology:
Transmission between diff. computers
—> NIC converts parallel data streams into serial ones and vice versa
What is a HUB
- Centralized device; divides network connection between different devices
- when Hub receives Data signals from connected device on Port it forwards them to all all other on devices on remaining ports
Passive Hubs: same signal gets forwarded
Active Hubs: amplifies data Signal before forwarding (repeaters)
What is a Bridge ?
- Divides a large network into smaller segments
- Connecting different media types
- Connecting different network architectures
But: Requires same Network layer protocol in all segments
Local Bridge: directly connects two LAN segments
Remote bridge: remote bridge, connects with another Bridge over WAN Link
Wireless Bridge: connects with another bridge over Air using radio signals for connectivity
What is a Gateway ?
- Device used to connect multiple Networks
- passes packets from one to another and forms link between them
- allows computer programs to share information across networks through protocols
- router is a gateway
What is a router
- Connects different Network segments
- switches Data packets in or between different networks
- Checks destination address if packet and sends from interface connected to destination address
- keeps record of connected Networks
= in routing table which is database
What is a Switch ?
- Connects multiple devices in LAN segment
- only sends data to the port connected to destination device
- does so by built in ability to identify the MAC address of the device connected to it
- exchanges data within own network
