Network devices

For the CCNA exam you should be familiar with some of the most commonly used networking devices and their functions.

Network device

Function

Picture

Puts the data into packets and transmits packet onto the network. To install the NIC card you must have available IRQ in the computer. Depending on the type of network, NIC card can be an Ethernet, Token ring, or Fiber. Every NIC card has a unique address burnt into the card. This address is in a flat hexadecimal number. The first group of numbers in the physical address is unique to the card manufacturer, and the rest is assigned by the manufacturer. This physical address is referred to as the MAC address. MAC stands for Media Access Control. NICs operate at the physical layer of the OSI model

Network interface card (NIC card)

Hub

Another name for a HUB is a concentrator. HUB does not have any processing power, it's just a box where you plug cables. HUB can be active or passive. Active HUB retransmits the digital signal, acting as a repeater. An Ethernet network segment with a HUB has a physical star topology and a logical bus topology. HUB operates at the Physical layer of the OSI model.

MAU

Multistation access unit. Acts as u hub in Token ring networks. MSAU (or MAU) is responsible for creating a logical ring topology because data packets inside the MSAU travel in a ring. The physical topology of a token ring network is a star because all units are attached to the central MSAU. MSAU works at the physical layer of the OSI model

Switch

Another name for a switch is intelligent hub. Switch acts like a hub, but unlike the HUB it examines the destination MAC addresses of the packer to decide where the packet should be forwarded. By doing that, a data is not broadcasted to all computers on the segment. Using the switch dramatically reduces the broadcast traffic and saves the bandwidth. Switch is like a router, but unlike router that uses network addresses to make routing decisions, it uses MAC addresses. The default switching mode for Cisco Catalyst 5000 series switches is Store-and-Forward. Some switches can be configured to use Cut-Through mode. Cut-through is a faster switching method because the packed is forwarded as soon as the destination address is read. The entire packed is not examined by the switch. Switch works at the Datalink layer of the OSI model. Cisco Catalyst Switch

Repeater

Repeaters are used to extend segment beyond the limitation of the maximum allowed cable length. Boost the signal between two cable segments. Repeaters can connect segments with different physical media such as UTP and Coaxial cable. Repeaters can't connect different network network architecture such as Ethernet and token ring. Repeater does not simply amplify the signal, it regenerates the packets and retimes them. Repeater works at the physical layer of the OSI model

Channel service unit/Data service unit. Used to connect to a T1 line or to a dedicated line, like fractional T1. The primary function of CSU/DSU is to convert the signal into the format that the rest of the network can understand. It's similar to the function of a modem. CSU/DSU works at the physical layer of the OSI model.

CSU/DSU

Bridge

Segments a network and reduce network traffic by examining the source and destination hardware address of the packet. Only Translation bridges can connect dissimilar network architectures like Ethernet and token ring. Bridge works at the Datalink layer of the OSI model

Routes packets to remote networks by examining the packet's network source and destination address. Routers reduce broadcast storms because they don't route broadcast packets. Routers can connect dissimilar network architectures. The destination address of the packet must match an entry in the routing table of the router; otherwise, the packet is discarded. Router Cisco routers run on the IOSInternetworking Operating System. IOS is the Cisco's operating system. Cisco router can route over 20 different protocols. A separate routing table is maintained for each protocol. CCNA exam concentrates mostly on 2 routable protocols-IP and IPX. Routers operate at the Network layer of the OSI model. Cisco 2500 series router

Brouter

A combination of Router and a Bridge. Used on networks that have both routable and non-routable protocols. Brouters operate at the Datalink and Network layers of the OSI model

Provide high speed switching. ATM switches use fixed size cell of 53 bytes. Can allocate bandwidth on demand. Can be used for both LAN and WAN switching. ATM switch Depending on the situation and function, operate at the Network and Datalink layer of the OSI model. Most of the functions are performed at the Network layer, especially when used in WAN switching.

Cisco Catalyst 8500 ATM switch

Connects networks with different protocols like TCP/IP network and IPX/SPX networks. Email gateways are used to connect different email systems. Gateways operate at layers above the network layer of the OSI model Email gateway operates at the application layer of the OSI model.

Gateway

Proxy server

Isolates internal network computers from the internet. When users on the network want to access the Internet , they first access the Proxy server and the proxy server accesses the internet and retrieves the requested web page or document. The user then gets a copy of that page from the proxy server. Only IP address of the proxy server goes out to the internet. Proxy server will also cache frequently used sites to speed up future access. Can also be configured to restrict access to certain sites.

Cisco's next-generation Cache Engine 500 series

Firewall

Prevents unauthorized access from the external network such as internet to your local network. Firewall operates at the Application layer of the OSI model.

Cisco PIX Firewall 520 Entry 233Mhz