Networking Hardware Basics

A computer network is defined as a group of computers that are joined together for the purpose of sharing resources and data. The computers in a network may also share a connection to the Internet.

Networking Hardware

1. When setting up a new computer network, many pieces of hardware will be necessary: network interface cards, switches, hubs and routers. The number of devices to be utilized will vary based on the individual network's needs.

Network Interface Cards

2. A network interface card (NIC)---also called a network adapter---is a piece of hardware in a computer that allows it to join a network.

Switches

3. A switch is a device that forwards and filters data based on the MAC address of the network cards involved in the communication. It operates at layer two of the open systems interconnection reference model (or the OSI model, see Resources).

Hubs

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

Routers

5. A router is a device 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.

Wireless Networks

6. A wireless network uses many of the same devices as a regular computer network, such as routers and network adapters. However, wireless networks also include access points (sometimes called WAPs for Wireless Access Points), which connect wireless devices to a wired Ethernet network.