What is a Network Device and What is the difference between Network Devices

What is a Network Device

A network device is any piece of hardware that connects two or more networks or enables data communication between them. The most common network devices include hubs, repeaters, bridges, switches, routers, gateways, and brouters (the latter two aren’t commonly used). They all have different jobs, but what are the differences? Here’s an overview of each so you can choose the right one for your needs.

Difference Between Network Devices

Difference between Network Devices

Difference Between Network Devices

1. Hub

Hub is a network device that combine different network segments into one, extending your network and increasing its reach. A hub joins multiple Ethernet segments together to make one larger LAN (Local Area Network). Hubs have three or more ports where computers can be attached. Once attached, any data sent from any computer on one port will be broadcast out through all other ports. This makes hubs inefficient since every packet of data that goes through them is copied for every device on your network.

If you're looking to share files across your home network, a hub might be good enough for you; but if you're trying to create an efficient work environment, look at something else like a switch or router instead. It's also important to note that hubs don't provide security, so they should only be used in environments where security isn't necessary.

A hub is also a multiport repeater that connects multiple wires coming from different branches, for example, the connector in star topology which connects different stations. It cannot filter data, so data packets are sent to all connected devices.

HUB

2. Repeater

The repeater operates at the physical layer and it is also known as an extender or booster, which uses radio frequencies to extend your wireless signal. It regenerates the signal over the same network before the signal becomes too weak or corrupted so as to extend the length to which the signal can be transmitted over the same network.

Repeater doesn't amplify the signal to connect a repeater to your router, simply plug it into an outlet and then click Add Wireless Device on your router's administrative page. If you have access to its SSID and password information, you can manually connect it. Otherwise, find out what SSID and password information was used to set up your main wireless network (check its documentation) and use that same info for your extender. Some routers don't allow manual connection of repeaters; if that's the case with yours, skip ahead to step 2 below.

Repeater

3. LAN Bridges

Bridges work on Layer 2 of the OSI model Data link layer. Their job is to receive frames from one interface, find out where they are supposed to go, and forward them out to another interface on their way. It is also used for interconnecting two LANs dealing with a similar protocol. Bridges do not make any decisions about what happens to a frame other than pass or drop.

A switch receives frames, too, but in addition, makes decisions about whether an arriving frame should be forwarded or dropped based on information contained in its forwarding table. The resulting device is also called a Layer 2 switch or simply switch. All modern LAN switches include bridging capability so that they can easily replace older bridges if needed.

LAN Bridge

4. Wireless Access Points

A wireless access point (WAP), also known as an access point, AP, or even a Wireless router, connects a local area network to a wide area network. A WAP broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal to allow wireless devices in range of it to connect to it and use its connection. Access points can be connected together with Ethernet cables in order to expand Wi-Fi coverage around your building or home.

Access points do not require configuration for simple networks - simply plug one into power and your wired router (or switch). However, when first setting up access points, you'll need to configure them via their web interface before connecting them to your main router. This process varies depending on the brand of the access point; consult its manual for more details.

Wireless Router

5. Switch

A device that connects two or more LAN segments, and forwards data from one segment to another. A switch is a multiport bridge with a buffer that can boost its efficiency and performance. A switch is a data link layer device. Switches provide high-bandwidth connections between multiple devices in a network while reducing broadcast traffic.

Every device in one segment must be able to communicate with every other device in that same segment. If you have 10 devices, you need 10 ports (one for each device). When used in conjunction with routers (see below), switches can create large LANs that span many floors and buildings. Without switches, every host would have to be directly connected to every other host—impractical in most cases because of cost and complexity. Cost: $30-$250+ - depending on size.

Switch

6. Router

A router is a device that works on a network layer that routes data packets based on their IP addresses. A router has multiple network interfaces and routes packets between them. A packet sent to a router includes information about where it needs to go next, called its destination address. The router compares that address to its list of known addresses. If it finds a match, it sends the packet on. If not, it forwards or routes the packet to another interface that might be able to forward it toward its destination.

Packets are always sent out through an interface different from those they came in on, which ensures that when an outgoing packet returns via some other interface, it will return through a different path than its original one—preventing any possible looping issues.

Router

7. Gateway

A networking device is used to connect two dissimilar networks. It works on the Network layer. A gateway router is used to connect dissimilar networks, such as an Ethernet network and a Wi-Fi network. They work as the messenger agents that take data from one system, interpret it, and transfer it to another system, and it is also called protocol converters. While it might seem like all routers can be called gateways, in practice that's not necessarily true.

The term may also refer to any device connecting two networks; for example, an access point on one network connects wirelessly to a gateway on another network. In addition, some companies use proprietary terms such as Brouter or mesh gateway instead of simply using the gateway.

Gateway

8. Brouter

The Bridge/Router combo device can be connected to one or more routers. The Brouter will then connect all of them to provide single administration and data processing. The Brouter combines features of both bridge and router, and it can work either at the data link layer or a network layer. These devices are recommended for connecting many networks and allow for high connectivity at a better speed than each router would provide on its own. These are simple devices but aren’t always as stable as expected. Their security, however, shouldn’t be compromised since that isn’t their main function.

Some users report issues with these when setting up many networks together; it might take some patience to set everything up properly for optimal performance with no glitches in connectivity or a reduction in performance overall. Otherwise, these work as expected and are rarely damaged during use due to their sturdy design and construction.