LAN/WAN Network Devices

Computer network consist of different devices such as router, hub, switch, gateway and
others. Without these network devices data cannot be transmitted from one computer to
another in a LAN or WAN network. These devices link up all the local and remote network
segments with each other to make data communication from one segment to another. The two
important devices of a big network are routers and switches. A computer network with good
infrastructure with properly placed and configured network devices such as routers, switches
etc. are helpful in reducing the overall operational cost, improve the performance,
manageability and reliability.

Hub - A hub is a networking device, which is used to connect the two segments of a wired
network. In star topology, every computer is directly connected with the hub. In case of any
fault in the hub, the data communication in the network computers stops. In an Ethernet-
based network a hub is a central device that is used to connect all the computers with each
other.

LAN Card - LAN card, network interface card or NIC is used to join the computers in a
network. A NIC card is installed in any available PCI port inside the computer. A unique
MAC (Media Control Access) address is assigned to LAN card. A MAC address is consists
of two portions manufacture’s id and the card id (PROM on the network interface card holds
the addresses). LAN card operates on the physical and data link layer of the OSI model. A
LAN card usually has twisted pair, BNC and AUI sockets where the Ethernet cables are
connected.

Switch - A network switch performs the same functionality in a network as a hub except a
different that switch does not broadcast the data packets to all the computers in a network like
a hub. A network switch has multiple ports like 4, 8, 16 and 24 etc. All the computers in a
wired network are directly connected with the switch through Ethernet cable. Switches limit
the traffic to and from each port and all the devices connected to the switch has maximum
available bandwidth. Switch doesn’t provide the built-in firewall capabilities like the
routers. In the telecommunication and packet switched infrastructure switches play an
important role. They transmit the data towards its destination based on the IP address.

Gateway - A gateway can be hardware or software and it acts as a bridge between two
networks. A gateway is an entrance point of a network. A gateway connects a LAN with
internet. A router acts as a gateway device in a network. In big networks, a computer server
which acts as a gateway also acts as a proxy server and a firewall server. A gateway
computer is usually attached with the router and switch.

Repeater - A repeater is a network device that is used to retransmit the weaker signals in a
network. A repeater receives the signals on the electromagnetic or optical transmission
mediums. Repeater removes the unwanted noise from the incoming signals. A series of the
repeaters is used to amplify the signals in the big network. The can also relay the messages
between subnetworks that use different protocols but a repeater can’t perform intelligent
routing like the routers.

Routers - A router is a network communication device that is used to connect two or more
logically and physically different networks. A router can be used to connect a LAN to LAN,
LAN to WAN and LAN to internet. A router acts as a post office where sorting and
distribution of the posts (packets in case of routers) is done. A router works on the basis of
an IP address. Every router has built-in operating system known as IOS. A router works on
the network layer of the OS model and it routes the data towards the optimal path. Router
uses the header information of the packets and forwarding table to define the best shortest
possible path of the data.

ISDN Adaptors - ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a data communication

method and it is used over the regular telephone lines. To use the ISDN lines, you need to
install add-on adapters known as ISDN terminal adapters. ISDN Terminal Adapter works
like a digital modem i.e. it converts the signals from digital to analog and vice versa. ISDN
Terminal adapter is plugged into the serial port of the system. Some ISDN adapters have the
feature of switching between digital and analog modes.

CSU/DSU - CSU/DSU stands for channel service unit and data service unit. CSU is used to
connect a terminal to a digital line. DSU is used to perform the protective and diagnostic
functions of the telecommunication line. CSU/DSU is a network device of the size of an
external modem. The Channel service unit receives and transmits the signals from the wide
area network line. CSU/DSU are two separate devices and they are sometimes used in
conjunction with the T1 LAN cards.

Bridges - A bridge is a network communication device that is used to connect two segments
of a LAN that uses the same protocol. Bridge is like a router but it doesn’t analyze the data
before sending. A bridge operates at the data link layer of the OSI model and it can be used
to connect the physically different networks and the networks that use the different protocols
such as Ethernet and Token Ring.

Modems - A modem is communication device that performs two different functions such as
modulation and demodulation i.e. it converts the digital data into analog and analog into
digital. The faster types of the modems are used by the internet such as DSL modem, cable
modem and optical modems. The features like BPS, auto answer, data compression,
voice/data, fax capability and flash memory distinguish one modem from the other.

Brouter - Network bridge and router combined together to form a device known as brouter.

The OSI Layer Model

Layer 6: Presentation Layer

The presentation layer presents the data into a uniform format and masks the difference of
data format between two dissimilar systems. It also translates the data from application to the
network format. Presentation layer is also responsible for the protocol conversion, encryption,
decryption and data compression. Presentation layer is a best layer for cryptography.
Network Devices: Gateway Redirector is operates on the presentation layer.

Layer 5: Session Layer

Session layer establish and manages the session between the two users at different ends in a
network. Session layer also manages who can transfer the data in a certain amount of time
and for how long. The examples of session layers and the interactive logins and file transfer
sessions. Session layer reconnect the session if it disconnects. It also reports and logs and
upper layer errors.
Protocols: The protocols that work on the session layer are NetBIOS, Mail Slots, Names
Pipes, RPC
Network Devices: Gateway

Layer 4: Transport Layer

Transport layer manages end to end message delivery in a network and also provides the
error checking and hence guarantees that no duplication or errors are occurring in the data
transfers across the network. Transport layer also provides the acknowledgement of the
successful data transmission and retransmits the data if no error free data was transferred.
It also provides and error handling and connectionless oriented data deliver in the network.
Protocols: These protocols work on the transport layer TCP, SPX, NETBIOS, ATP and
NWLINK.

Network Devices: The Brouter, Gateway and Cable tester work on the transport layer.

Layer 3: Network Layer

The network layer determines that how data transmits between the network devices. It also
translates the logical address into the physical address e.g computer name into MAC address.
It is also responsible for defining the route, managing the network problems and addressing.
Router works on the network layer and if a sending device does not break the data into the
similar packets as the receiving device then network layer split the data into the smaller units
and at the receiving end the network layer reassemble the data.

Network layer routes the packets according to the unique network addresses. Router works as
the post office and network layer stamps the letters (data) for the specific destinations.
Protocols: These protocols work on the network layer IP, ICMP, ARP, RIP, OSI, IPX and
OSPF.
Network Devices: Network devices including Router, Brouter, Frame Relay device and ATM
switch devices work on the network layer.

Layer 2:Data Link Layer

Defines procedures for operating the communication links

Frames packets
Detects and corrects packets transmit errors
Protocols: Logical Link Control
• error correction and flow control
• manages link control and defines SAPs
802.1 OSI Model
802.2 Logical Link Control
Media Access Control
• communicates with the adapter card
• controls the type of media being used:
802.3 CSMA/CD (Ethernet)
802.4 Token Bus (ARCnet)
802.5 Token Ring
802.12 Demand Priority
Network Devices: Bridge
Switch
ISDN Router
Intelligent Hub
NIC
Advanced Cable Tester

Layer 1: Physical Layer

Physical layer defines and cables, network cards and physical aspects. It defines raw bit
stream on the physical media. It also provides the interface between network and network
communication devices. It is also responsible for how many volts for 0 and how many for 1.
Physical layer also checks the number of bits transmitted per second and two ways or one
way transmission. Physical layer also dealing with the optical, mechanical and electrical
features.
Protocols: Protocols that work on the physical layer are ISDN, IEEE 802 and IEEE 802.2
Network Devices: Hubs, Repeaters, Oscilloscope and Amplifier works on the network
devices.

Networking Basics - Cables

Cables

-In the network you will commonly find three types of cables used these are the, coaxial
cable, fiber optic, and twisted pair.

Thick Coaxial Cable, this type cable is usually yellow in color and used in what is called
thicknets, and has two conductors. This coax can be used in 500-meter lengths. The cable
itself is made up of a solid center wire with a braided metal shield and plastic sheathing
protecting the rest of the wire.

Thin Coaxial Cable, as with the thick coaxial cable is used in thicknets the thin version is
used in thinnets. This type cable is also used called or referred to as RG-58. The cable is
really just a cheaper version of the thick cable.

Fiber Optic Cable

, as we all know fiber optics are pretty darn cool and not cheap. This cable is smaller and can
carry a vast amount of information fast and over long distances.

Twisted Pair Cables, these come in two flavors of unshielded and shielded.

• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), this is the most popular form of cables in the
network and the cheapest form that you can go with. The UTP has four pairs of wires
and all inside plastic sheathing. The biggest reason that we call it Twisted Pair is to
protect the wires from interference from themselves. Each wire is only protected with
a thin plastic sheath.
 • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP), is more common in high-speed networks. The biggest
difference you will see in the UTP and STP is that the STP use's metallic shield
wrapping to protect the wire from interference.

-Something else to note about these cables is that they are defined in numbers also. The
bigger the number the better the protection from interference. Most networks should go with
no less than a CAT 3 and CAT 5 is most recommended.

-Now you know about cables we need to know about connectors. This is pretty important and
you will most likely need the RJ-45 connector. This is the cousin of the phone jack connector
and looks real similar with the exception that the RJ-45 is bigger. Most commonly your
connector are in two flavors and this is BNC (Bayonet Naur Connector) used in thicknets and
the RJ-45 used in smaller networks using UTP/STP.