CCNA 200-

125
Networking Devices
MODULE 3:
 Networking Devices
Network devices are components used to connect computers or other electronic
Devices together so that they can share files or resources like printers or fax
machines.
Network Devices used to setup a Local Area Network (LAN) are the most common
type of Network devices used by the public. A LAN requires a Hub, Switch, Router.
Network Devices are use to Control the communication and provide the Security
over the Enterprise Network.
Without Networking Device Networking Concept is meaning less.
 Types of Networking
Devices
NIC = Network Interface Card
WNIC / WIFI = Wireless LAN (Wireless Fidelity)
HUB
BRIDGE
REPEATER
SWITCH
WAP = Wireless Access Point
ROUTER
FIREWALL
MODEM
PATCH PANNEL
 Network Interface
Card (NIC)
In the list of networking devices, NIC stands on first place. Without this
device, networking cannot be done. This is also known as network
adapter card, Ethernet Card and LAN card.
NIC allows our PC to communicate with other PCs. Basically it converts
data transmission technology.
A NIC converts parallel data stream into serial data stream and vice versa
serial data stream is get converted in parallel data stream.
Usually all modern PCs have integrated NICs in motherboard. NICs are
also available separately. For desktop or server system they are available
in adapter format which can be plugged into the available slots of
motherboard. For laptop or other small size devices they available in
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association)
card format which can be inserted in PCMCIA slots.
 Types of NICs
There are two types of NICs
Media Specific :- Different types of NICs are required to connect with
different types of media. For example we cannot connect wired media
with wireless NIC card. Just like this, we cannot connect coaxial cable
with Ethernet LAN card. We have to use the LAN card that is particularly
built for the media type which we have.
Network Design Specific :- A specific network design needs a specific
LAN card. For example FDDI, Token Ring and Ethernet have their own
distinctive type of NICs card. They cannot use other’s NIC card.
 Wireless Network
Interface Card
Wireless Network Interface Card is a network card which is used to
connect radio-based computer networks.
WNICs uses an antenna to communicate through microwaves and is
typically connected using the computer's PCI bus or USB port.
Similar to a Network Interface Card (NIC), the WNIC also works on Layer
1 and Layer 2 of the OSI Model.
 HUB
Hub is one of the basic icons of networking devices which works at physical layer
and hence connect networking devices physically together. Hubs are fundamentally
used in networks that use twisted pair cabling to connect devices. They are
designed to transmit the packets to the other appended devices without altering
any of the transmitted packets received. They act as pathways to direct electrical
signals to travel along. They transmit the information regardless of the fact if data
packet is destined for the device connected or not.
Hub falls in two categories:
Active Hub: They are smarter than the passive hubs. They not only provide the path
for the data signals infact they regenerate, concentrate and strengthen the signals
before sending them to their destinations. Active hubs are also termed
as ‘repeaters’.
Passive Hub: They are more like point contact for the wires to built in the physical
network. They have nothing to do with modifying the signals.
 BRIDGE
A bridge is a type of computer network device that provides
interconnection with other bridge networks that use the same protocol.
Bridge devices work at the data link layer of the Open System Interconnect
(OSI) model, connecting two different networks together and providing
communication between them.
Bridges are similar to repeaters and hubs in that they broadcast data to
every node. However, bridges maintain the media access control (MAC)
address table as soon as they discover new segments, so subsequent
transmissions are sent to only to the desired recipient.
Bridges are also known as Layer 2 switches.
 REPEATER
A Repeater is a device that operates only at the PHYSICAL Layer of OSI
Reference Model.
A Repeater can be used to increase the Length of Network by Eliminating
the effect of attenuation on the Signals.
It connects two Segments of the same Network, Overcoming the Distance
Limitations of the Transmission Media.
A Repeater forwards every frame; it has no filtering capability.
A Repeater is a Signal generator, not an Signal Amplifier.
A Repeater can connect segments that have the same Access Method.
(CSMA/CD, Token Passing, Polling, Etc.)
 SWITCH
Switch is a multiple LAN connecting device, which takes incoming data packet from
any multiple input ports and passes the data packet to specific output port.
◦ It works same as hub but does its work very efficiently
◦ It uses MAC address information to switch forward the data packets to a particular
destination device.
◦ By monitoring the network traffic, it can learn where the particular addresses is located.
◦ Operates at one or more OSI model layers mainly the data link layer.
◦ Minimizes the collision of data packets.
◦ Provides better security and better utilization of limited bandwidth.

Switches available with 4,8,12,24,48,64 ports. Each switch port has a separate
collision domain. Switch works at layer two in OSI Layer model. At layer two, data
signals are formatted in frames.
When a switch receives frame, it checks FCS (Frame checksum sequence) field in it.
Switch process the frame only if it is valid. All invalided frames are automatically
dropped. All valid frames are processed and forwarded to their destination MAC
address.
 WAP: Wireless
Access Point
An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area network, or
WLAN, usually in an office or large building.
An access point connects to a wired router, switch, or hub via an
Ethernet cable, and projects a Wi-Fi signal to a designated area.
For example, if you want to enable Wi-Fi access in your company's
reception area but don’t have a router within range, you can install an
access point near the front desk and run an Ethernet cable through the
ceiling back to the server room.
 ROUTER
Defined: A connectivity device that filters and forwards data based on a
logical address. In the case of TCP/IP networks, that would be the IP
address.
Routers are an essential part of any larger TCP/IP network. In fact, without
the development of network routers and TCP/IP routing protocols, the
Internet (the biggest network in the world) would not have become as
extensive.
Routers play a vital role in controlling traffic and keeping the network
efficient.
Primary Role of Router is to Forward the Traffic form one Network to
another Network.
Routers comes in two mode.
1. Modula Routers (Hardware Modification is Possible)
2. Fixed Router (Hardware Modules area Fixed)
 MODEM
A Modem is somewhat a more interesting network device in our daily life. So if
you have noticed around, you get an internet connection through a wire (there
are different types of wires) to your house. This wire is used to carry our
internet data outside to the internet world.
However, our computer generates binary data or digital data in forms of 1s and
0s and on the other hand, a wire carries an analog signal and that’s where a
modem comes in.
A modem stands for (Modulator+Demodulator). That means it modulates and
demodulates the signal between the digital data of a computer and the analog
signal of a telephone line.
 What is Firewall?
A firewall is a hardware or software system that prevents unauthorized
access to or from a network. It can be implemented in both hardware
and software, or a combination of both.
Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users
from accessing private networks connected to the Internet.
Two Type Firewall
◦ Software Based Firewall:- For a home or small offices, instead of costly
hardware firewalls, you can use software firewalls which can be installed on
individual systems or a server. Software firewalls are easy to install and
update as compared to their hardware counterparts.
◦ Hardware Based Firewall: - Hardware firewall is a hardware device that is
installed between internet and intranet( LAN). It is a standalone device that
is configured to protect multiple systems in home or organizations.
 Software Firewall:

A basic software firewall is available free with windows

Some top rated companies/brands selling hardware firewalls

When patch panels are part of a LAN, they can connect computers to other
computers and to outside lines. Those lines, in turn, allow LANs to connect
to wide area networks or to the Internet. To arrange circuits using a patch
panel, you simply plug and unplug the appropriate patch cords.
Network Patch Panel
Example
RJ45 Wall Socket