Network devices, also known as networking hardware, are physical devices that allow hardware on a computer network to communicate and interact with one another.

The various types of network devices. The following is a list of common network devices:

Hub

Hub: A hub also serves as a repeater, amplifying signals that have deteriorated due to long distances traveled over connecting wires. Because it connects LAN components using the same protocols, a hub is the simplest of the network connecting devices.

A hub can handle both digital and analog data as long as its settings are set up to handle the formatting of the incoming data. If the incoming data is digital, for example, the hub must pass it on as packets; if the incoming data is analog, the hub must pass it on as a signal.

Hubs do not filter or address packets; instead, they simply send data packets to all connected devices. Hubs are part of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model’s Physical layer. Simple and multiple port hubs are the two types of hubs.

Switch

Switches play a more intelligent role than hubs in most cases. A switch is a multiport device that increases the efficiency of a network. The switch keeps limited routing information about internal network nodes and makes connections to systems such as hubs and routers. PoE Switches are commonly used to connect LAN strands. In most cases, switches will read the hardware addresses of incoming packets and send them to the correct destination.

Because switches can create virtual circuits, they are more efficient than hubs or routers in terms of network efficiency. Switches also increase network security by making it more difficult to inspect virtual circuits with network monitors. A switch can be thought of as a device that combines the best features of routers and hubs. In the OSI model, a switch would operate at either the Data Link layer or the Network layer. A multilayer switch can run on both layers, meaning it can be used as a switch and a router. A multilayer switch is a high-capacity device that uses the same routing protocols as routers.

Switches are vulnerable to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and flood guards are used to preventing malicious traffic from shutting down the switch. Switch port security is critical, so make sure to secure the following switches: Use DHCP snooping, ARP inspection, and MAC address filtering to disable all unused ports.

Router

Routers assist in the transmission of packets by charting a route through a sea of interconnected networking devices using various network topologies. Routers are smart devices that store information about the networks to which they are connected. The majority of routers can be set up to act as packet-filtering firewalls with access control lists (ACLs).

They are also used to convert LAN framing to WAN framing, in conjunction with a channel service unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU). Because LANs and WANs use different network protocols, this is required. Border routers are the name given to such routers. They connect a LAN to a WAN from the outside, and they operate in the background.

Internal networks are often divided into two or more sub-networks using routers. Internally, routers can be connected to other routers to create zones that operate independently. Router communicate by keeping track of destinations and local connections in tables. A router stores information about the systems that are connected to it, as well as where requests should be sent if the destination is unknown.

Routing and other information are normally communicated by routers using one of three standard protocols: Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), or Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) (OSPF).

A Router is your first line of defense, and it must be configured to only pass traffic that network administrators have approved. The paths themselves can be static or dynamic. They can only be manually configured if they are static, and they will remain that way until they are modified. If they’re dynamic, they pick up on other routers in the area and use that information to create their routing tables.

 Bridge

A bridge is a device that connects two or more hosts or network segments. Bridges’ primary function in network architecture is to store and forward frames between the various segments that they connect. They transfer frames using hardware Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. Bridges will forward or block data crossing by looking at the MAC addresses of the devices connected to each segment and can also be used to link two physical LANs together to create a larger logical LAN.

Bridges only work at the OSI model’s Physical and Data Link layers. By sitting between two physical network segments and controlling the flow of data between them, bridges are used to separate larger networks into smaller sections.

In many ways, bridges are similar to hubs, including the fact that they connect LAN components using the same protocols. Bridges, on the other hand, filter incoming data packets, known as frames, for addresses before forwarding them. The bridge does not change the format or content of the incoming data as it filters the packets. With the assistance of a dynamic bridge table, the bridge filters and forwards frames on the network.

The LAN addresses for each computer in the LAN, as well as the addresses of each bridge interface that connects the LAN to other LANs, are stored in the bridge table, which is originally empty. Bridges, like hubs, can have a single or multiple port configuration.

Modem

Digital signals are transmitted over analog telephone lines using modems (modulators-demodulators). As a result, the modem converts digital signals into analog signals of various frequencies, which are then relayed to a modem at the receiving location. The receiving modem reverses the transformation and outputs a digital signal to a modem-connected device, usually a computer.

The digital data is normally sent to or received from the modem over a serial line using the RS-232 interface, which is an industry-standard. DSL is offered by many telephone companies, and many cable operators use modems as end terminals to identify and recognize home and personal users.

Access Point

While an access point (AP) may technically be a wired or wireless device, it is most commonly used to refer to a wireless device. An access point (AP) operates at the Data Link layer of the OSI model, and it can act as a bridge connecting a wired network to wireless devices or as a router passing data from one access point to another.

Wireless access points (WAPs) are devices that combine a transmitter and a receiver (transceiver) to form a wireless LAN (WLAN). Separate network devices with a built-in antenna, transmitter, and adapter are known as access points. The wireless infrastructure network mode is used by APs to establish a connection between WLANs and a wired Ethernet LAN. They also have multiple ports, allowing you to extend the network to accommodate more customers. One or more APs may be needed to provide full coverage, depending on the size of the network. Additional access points are used to provide access to more wireless clients and to extend the wireless network’s range.

Conclusion

Having a solid understanding of the various types of network devices available will assist you in designing and constructing a secure network that meets the needs of your company. However, to ensure your network’s continued security and availability, you should keep a close eye on your network devices and the activity around them, so you can easily spot hardware problems, configuration issues, and attacks.