Network Devices
There are various devices in a computer network and we will try to discuss the following in this article because following ones are the most misunderstood due to their same functionality to some extent.
Repeater
Hub
Bridge
Switch
Router
Repeater:
Distance between two devices in a network plays a very important role in transmitting the signals between device . if the devices are far then their signals fades away before reaching the destination . So we use repeaters to avoid such situations . A repeater is a hardware device which regenerates the received signal and transmits it with full strength . So , by using repeaters in a network we can overcome this weak signals problem
Hub:
A Hub is basically a multi-ports repeater. As your network grows you do not want to connect each node to one another . On contrary , we use a hub and connect the devices to it . It plays the role of repeater but with an advantage that it connect multiple devices to itself making it easier for us to manage the network.
Bridge:
When in a network , a device wanted to share a file to another device . A copy of file is sent to all devices which is of-course not favourable . To tackle with this , we use a bridge.
Bridge works on the principle that it learns which devices are on which sides .It has only two ports so it can connect only two hubs . When a device wanted to share something with another device on the same side , this sharing remains on the same side and bridge does not allow its sneaking to the other side . Also when a device wanted to communicate to a device on the other side bridge also allows it.
Switch:
Switch facilitates communication within the network . The sharing problem in the network is resolved by using switch. A Switch is a combination of hub and repeater.
The devices are connected to it’s ports. When two nodes decided to communicate with each other , switch knows which ports the traffic should be directed . In this way , the communication between two nodes in a networks remains confidential.
Router:
Router facilitates communication between the networks . When a node on a network wants to communicate to a device on another network , router is used for this .
In the diagram , it is shown that router is must to allow communication between two networks . Also it is the router which connects us to the “Internet”. Router provides a traffic control point(security , filtering , redirecting) . A router knows to which networks it is connected . This information is called “Routes” which are stored in a table called “Routing Table”.
