Networking Components

Hub • Switch • Router • Bridge • Gateway • Firewall • Wireless AP Quinn Floyd July 10, 2012 Networking Components

Hubs are devices to connect multiple Ethernet devices together. • Hubs will share one Internet connection, so there's no need to pay your ISP for multiple connections. Hubs are commonly referred to a Network Hubs or Ethernet Hubs. • This is a picture of a Hub. • Price $39.99-$89.99 Newegg.com • Here a diagram how a Hub operates. Hub

Switches work the same way as hubs, but they can identify the intended destination of the information that they receive, so they send that information to only the computers that are supposed to receive it. Switches can send and receive information at the same time, so they can send information faster than hubs can. • If your home network has four or more computers or you want to use your network for activities that require passing a lot of information between computers (such as playing network games or sharing music), you should probably use a switch instead of a hub. Switches cost a little more than hubs. • This is a Netgear 5 port switch • Price $12.99- $39.99 Newegg.com • Here’s a diagram of a network switch Switch

Routers enable computers to communicate and they can pass information between two networks—such as between your home network and the Internet. This capability to direct network traffic is what gives the router its name. Routers can be wired (using Ethernet cables) or wireless. • If you just want to connect your computers, hubs and switches work well; however, if you want to give all of your computers access to the Internet using one modem, use a router or a modem with a built-in router. Routers also typically provide built-in security, such as a firewall. Routers are more expensive than hubs and switches. • Some basic network routers • Price $ 19.99-$129.99 • Here’s a diagram of a router setup. Router

A bridge device filters data traffic at a network boundary. Bridges reduce the amount of traffic on a LAN by dividing it into two segments • Bridges serve a similar function as switches, that also operate at Layer 2. Traditional bridges, though, support one network boundary, whereas switches usually offer four or more hardware ports. Switches are sometimes called "multi-port bridges" for this reason. • Here’s a basic network bridge • Price $35.99 Newegg.com • Here’s a diagram setup of a bridge Bridge

A network gateway ansystem capable of joining together two networks that use different base protocols. A network gateway can be implemented completely in software, completely in hardware, or as a combination of both. Because a network gateway, by definition, appears at the edge of a network, related capabilities like firewalls tend to be integrated with it. On home networks, a broadband router typically serves as the network gateway although ordinary computers can also be configured to perform equivalent functions. • Here’s a picture of a gateway • Price $49.99 on Newegg.com • Here’s a diagram of a gateway Gateway

A network firewall protects a computer network from unauthorized access. Network firewalls may be hardware devices, software programs, or a combination of the two. Network firewalls guard an internal computer network against malicious access from the outside. Network firewalls may also be configured to limit access to the outside from internal users. • Here’s a picture of a firewall • Price $879.99 JR.com • Here’s a diagram of a firewall Firewall

A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards. The WAP usually connects to a router (via a wired network) if it's a standalone device, or is part of a router itself. • This is a basic wireless AP • Price $49.99 on Newegg.com • This is a diagram of a wireless AP Wireless AP

Here is a diagram of all the devices mentioned above in a working network. Diagram of all devices

Networking Components