Different Devices of Computer Network| What are Ethernet Card, Switch, Hub, Modem, Router, Repeater and Gateway in Computer Networking?

 What are different devices used for Computer Networking? Basics of Router, Ethernet Card, Switch, Hub and Gateway.

          Computer network is a family of different networking devices having the capacity to generating information data, receiving and converting data from digital to analog or vice versa, transferring data through wired or wireless medium and finally sending data at different geographical locations. This is an interactive discussing about these Networking devices such Ethernet card, Hub, Switch, Modem, Router, Gateway and so on.

Network Interface Card (NIC)/ Ethernet Card: It acts as interface adaptor between computer and network. 

Network Interface Card(Ethernet Card)-MDWIX

It is basically a circuit board mounted in the computer motherboard. Internet cable is connected via NIC that is uniquely assigned with MAC address that helps to identify the network machines. It has the versatility to transfer data

Modem: The name "Modem" suggests it's inner meaning. It stands for "Modulation & Demodulation" that means the conversion between analog and digital signal.

Different Network Devices-MDWIX

    It is briefly discussed for an better understanding. Computer understands any signal in terms of binary digit "0" & "1" but data is transferred while internet browsing in the form of analog signal through physical medium or free air space. So any data processing in the computer is needed to convert in analog signal format to transmit to different geographical location. Modem acts as two way converter. At sender's end it acts as modulator that converts data from digital to analog signal simultaneously at receiver's end it acts as demodulator that converts data from analog to digital signal.

RJ-45/Registered Jack-45: It is an eight pin with plastic plug connector attached with Ethernet cable. It is seen at every network wire connection.

Repeater: It is a device to regenerate signal strength while transport data through the network cable. During data transferred analog signal loose their strength beyond the nominal distance of 100 meter. So the original signal is needed to regenerate to it's original strength.

Hub: It is a junction by which different network devices are connected. Data comes to this device and send the date to different devices. But there is some limitation of data interference result to data collision. 

Switch: It is also a junction point in the network to send data as hub. But has some unique feature. It receives data from different sources Then it analyses the destination data packet and the signal to defined destination instead of sending to all. Thus it prevents data collision. 

Router: It is also a network device that can receive the data, analyse and send data to different location. But it has advance feature than that of hub or switch. 

Router-MDWIX

           Here we are describing it's function analogically. Suppose cargo ship comes to a dock with huge material for different destination. Outside the Port there are different types of road carriage like goods train, tailor, truck and so on. Ship crane can't directly transfer all the large packets to outside carriage, So it divides the large parcel to small portion and load to desired carriage. Now it is clear the function of the router. It receives large data packets and break them to desired size. It facilitates to smooth and optimized data transfer.

Gateway: The gateway is the entry and exit point of a defined network of any organisation while it is connected to outside world through internet. A small LAN or MAN network is connected through internet, the internet service provider acts as gateway. The router act as the gateway. It has function like the port management in the elastration of router. Beyond data transfer functionality it also manage the host internal path network as well the identified remote network. 

Read more:

1.Evolution of Computer Networking.

2.Different Types of Computer Network.

3.Different Types of Computer Network.

4.Networking Topology.

5.Internet, Web and the Internet Communication.

6. Internet Protocols. 

7. Domain Name System.

8. Web Hosting Server.

9. Uniform Resource locator.

10.Web Design & Connectivity.

This tutorial as per guidance of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) & National Open School Syllabus.

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