Network Hub

A Hub is a device that splits a network connection into multiple computers. It is like a distribution center. When a computer request information from a network or a specific computer, it sends the request to the hub through a cable. The hub will receive the request and transmit it to the entire network. Each computer in the network should then figure out whether the broadcast data is for them or not. For example, an Ethernet hub normally has 8 or 12 or 16 RJ-45 ports, each port can be connected to a PC or workstation or server. Also, the hub’s BNC port can be connected to a coaxial cable to lengthen the network.

Network Switches

Network switches work similar to routers because they both copy information from one area of the network to the other. However, network switches contain multiple ports for copying frames of information from one port to the other.  Like routers, switches operate within the layers of a network and evaluate every frame before determining the port in which the frame should be copied. Network switches are more sophisticated then their predecessor the network hub, which copied all frames to all ports instead of determining individual destinations. This required more bandwidth than what is required with network switches.

Network interface card

Network interface cards are used to connect each computer to the network so they can communicate with the network router to receive information packets. The interface cards determine the infrastructure of a local area network (LAN) and allow all of the computers to connect to the network. There are many different types of network interface cards that perform different functions within the network which include Ethernet cards and wireless network interface cards.

Network router

A network router is a hardware device that is connected to multiple channels for different networks through an interface that is situated on each network. The router is usually located within the layers of a network that determine the path for the transfer of data with the router acting as a processing unit for information packets. The router duplicates information packets for use during transmission from one network to another. The router uses a specific protocol or set of rules to determine which information packets are to be routed to certain interfaces within the network. Different types of routers perform different functions depending upon the requirements of the network system.

Network Hardware Components:

Network hardware is the individual components of a network system that are responsible for transmitting data and facilitating the operations of a computer network. Although a network contains many hardware components, there are several basic categories that make up the complete operations of a network system like network router, network interface card, network switches, network hub and network bridges.

Computer Network

Computer network is a group of two or more computers that connect with each other to share a resource. Sharing of devices and resources is the purpose of computer network. You can share printers, fax machines, scanners, network connection, local drives, copiers and other resources.

In computer network technology, there are several types of networks that range from simple to complex level. However, in any case in order to connect computers with each other or to the existing network or planning to install from scratch, we required two components which is Hardware and Software.