Network Hardware

Network Hardware

1. A switch connects devices together to make a LAN (Local Area Network) and is the more intelligent device, because it checks the IP address of the device and send it directly.

   • This ensures that no other devices connected see any data- security is improved.

2. A WAP is a Wireless Access Point and allows devices to connect to a WIRED network via wifi.

3. NIC (Network Interface Card) is usually installed in all modern computers and allows devices to connect to any network. It is usually installed on the motherboard.

4. Wires come in many different varieties and include (in order of speed, LOW TO HIGH): coaxial (copper) , twisted pair (copper, twisted to reduce the possibility of network interference), fibre optic (made of glass and uses light).

   • A server is a computer which is dedicated to responding to requests made by its' client, like mail, files, web etc.

5. A bridge connects two different parts of the same LAN (Local Area Network) so that both act like they're part of the same LAN.

6. A modem provides connection to the network via dialup connections using telephone lines.