network hardware

network hardware

1. Router

   • responsible for transmitting Packets between different Networks
   • gateway between 2 networks
   • identifies source and destination IP addresses of packets, then sends it down the least congested path
   • You can buy a basic one for £40-£50
   • 2 frequencies - 2.4GHz and 5GHz
     • 2.4 GHz provides internet to a larger area but sacrifices speed
     • 5 GHz provides faster speeds to a smaller area.

2. WAP

   • Wireless access point
   • allows you to connect devices to the network via Wifi instead of ethernet

3. Switch

   • transfers packets inside the network
   • will only look at the MAC Address of the Frame. It is not interested in the Packets inside them

4. Hub

   • acts like a switch but less smart. Whenever it receives a frame, it transmits a copy to every device connected
   • very wasteful, takes up unnecessary bandwidth

5. NIC

   • network interface card
   • allows a device (like a PC or phone) to connect to the network
   • £20??

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