Network Components

The hardware and software needed to set up computer networks at homes and businesses are referred to as computer network components.

Key Components of a Computer Network

In simple terms, a computer network is made up of two main parts: devices (called nodes) and connections (called links). The links connect the devices to each other.

The rules for how these connections send information are called communication protocols.

The starting and ending points of these communications are often called ports.

Key Components

Network Devices

Basic hardware interconnecting network nodes, such as Network Interface Cards (NICs), Bridges, Hubs, Switches, and Routers, are used in all networks.

1. NIC (Network Interface Card)

NIC or network interface card is a network adapter used to connect the computer to the network.

Types:

• Wired NIC: Cables and Connectors use Wired NIC to transfer data.

• Wireless NIC: These connect to a wireless network such as Wifi, Bluetooth, etc.

1. HUB

A HUB is a multi-port repeater. Hubs cannot filter data, so data packets are sent to all connected devices.

HUB

1. Switch

A network switch is equipment that allows two or more IT devices, such as computers, to communicate with one another.

IT devices communicate by exchanging “packets” of data over the network. Basic switches forward packets from one device to another,

Switch

1. Router

The router is a physical or virtual internetworking device that is designed to receive, analyze, and forward data packets between computer networks.

Router

1. Bridge

The bridge is a networking device that connects the larger LAN networks with the group of smaller LAN networks.

Bridge

1. Repeater

Repeater is an important component of computer networks as it is used to regenerate and amplify signal in the computer networks. Repeaters are used to improve the quality of the networks.

Repeater

Links

Links are the ways information travels between devices, and they can be of two types:

1. Wired

Communication done in a wired medium. Copper wire, twisted pair, or fiber optic cables are all options.

A wired network employs wires to link devices to the Internet or another network, such as laptops or desktop PCs.

1. Wireless

Wireless means without wire, media that is made up of electromagnetic waves (EM Waves) or infrared waves.

Antennas or sensors will be present on all wireless devices.

For data or voice communication, a wireless network uses radio frequency waves rather than wires.

Communication Protocols

A communication protocol is a set of rules that all devices follow when they share information.

Some common protocols are TCP/IP, IEEE 802, Ethernet, wireless LAN, and cellular standards. TCP/IP is a model that organizes how communication works in modern networks.

Network Defense

While nodes, links, and protocols are the building blocks of a network, a modern network also needs strong defenses.

Security is crucial because huge amounts of data are constantly being created, moved, and processed.

Some examples of network defense tools are firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), network access control (NAC), content filters, proxy servers, anti-DDoS devices, and load balancers.