SHAWN CROWELTEC 4550 .020 /026

ASSIGNMENT #3

Networking Components

Typical Networking Components

HubSwitchRouterBridgeGatewayFirewallWireless Access Point

Hub

A hub is a low functioning device. It sends data from one computer to all others on a network. Operates in layer 1 of the OSI model. A hub ties together all of the devices connected to it via optical or twisted pair ports.

Hubs are inexpensive usually between $10 and $100, Hubs are passive devices meaning they do not have software. They do not have a MAC table and can’t learn MAC addresses. They are passive devices and repeat everything they hear to all other ports on the hub.

Hub

Hubs detect collisions so there is a limit to the number of hubs a company can connect together. Collision detection can slow response time and throughput. Hubs are generally used in small offices and homes but generally not used in enterprise situations.

Switch

Switches relays traffic using a layer 2 address. This is in the form of MAC addresses or ATM/MPLS labels. A switch can store MAC addresses in a lookup table then maintain those addresses as its own. A switch can also learn MAC addresses

Switches are active devices and contain software that supports the building of routing tables. Every port has a collision domain.

A switch is usually used in an enterprise environment and costs from $30 to $1000s.

Router

A router operates on OSI layer 3.It is designed to relay or (route) packets. Routers often have built in security and firewalls. It allows LAN’s and WAN’s to share an internet connection.

A router acts as the central relay point on a network. Software built-in to routers can enable a network administrator to give certain packets priority over others.

Routers are generally used in a home or small office setting and cost from $30 to $300 depending on complexity and features.

Bridge

Bridges operate on Layer 2 of the OSI model. They inspect traffic and decide whether to forward or discard it.

Bridges function similar to switches but contain only one port. Switches contain multiple ports. Bridges examine

Bridges are often used in a home or small office to broaden the wired or wireless signal. As seen in the example to the left, devices can be attached to a switch that is connected to a wireless bridge that is linked wirelessly to a router. Bridges generally cost under $100.

Gateway

A gateway is a system that connects networks together. Network gateways can operate on any level of the OSI model.

Gateways can be implemented with hardware or software alone, or a combination of both.

Gateways are often used in an enterprise environment to connect office at different parts of the city or country. Each office would have a gateway connected to the internet that would send packets through the internet to the gateway at the other office.

A gateway can range in cost from a few $100 to a few $1000.

Firewall

A firewall is a security feature that prevents unwanted traffic from entering a network or computer.

A firewall can be either physical hardware or software. Firewalls are usually built into Operating systems on PC’s and on routers.

A firewall connects trusted networks from un-trusted ones. A firewall can range in cost from free to about $100.

Wireless Access Point

Most wireless access points (AP) operate with the IEEE 802.11 specifications.Some routers have them built in.

A wireless access point allows a device with wireless capabilities to connect to a wired network wirelessly. These operate on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz, and use a/b/g and n channels

Used in the corporate environment to connect wireless devices. Allows for the seamless handoff from access point to access point so the user can move around and not loose network connectivity.

Can range in cost upward to $1000 for an enterprise grade AP.

Network Diagram