Network Device Types

In computer networks, many different network devices are used. These devices used in computer networks has different characteristics. Each of them provide a specific role. What are these network equipments?

Basically these network equipments are :

• Hubs
• Bridges
• Layer 2 Switches
• Multi Layer Switches
• Routers
• Modems
• Repeater
• Firewall

Hub

Hub is a very simple network device that is used in LANs. It is basicall a multiport repeater. Hubs do not decide anything and forwards any traffic to all of the ports. So, they are not smart devices. They have multiple ports that connects different network equimpments in the same network. But this devices the network bandwith.

Bridge

A Bridge is a device that connects different Local Area Networks (LANs). It has single incoming port and single outgoing port. Bridges works at Layer 2, Data-Link Layer. Bridges are also used for dividing the network into two collision domains. But this solution was an early solution. It is rarely used nowadays.

Layer 2 Switch

Layer 2 Switch is a network device that works in Layer 2 (Data Link Layer). It is a smart device that collects data and switches the traffic according ot this data. Swicthes have many ports and with this characteristics, they expand the network through endpoints.

Router

A Router is a network device that works on Layer 3. It is basically used to connect different networks. Router is a smart device. So it calculates the routes according to some algorithms and then makes the route decision. Then forwards the packets according to the Layer 3 IP addresses.

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