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Gateway Device
sitting at a network node for interfacing with another network that uses different
protocols. Works on OSI layers 4 to 7. Router A
specialized network device that determines the next network point to which to
forward a data packet toward its destination. Unlike a gateway, it cannot interface
different protocols. Works on OSI layer 3. Bridge A
device that connects multiple network segments along the data link layer. Works
on OSI layer 2. Computer
Switch In computer software, specifically command line interfaces,
a switch (also known as option, command-line parameter, or command-line argument)
is an indication by a user that a computer program should change its default behaviour. Network
Switch A device that allocates traffic from one network segment
to certain lines (intended destination(s)) which connect the segment to another
network segment. So unlike a hub a switch splits the network traffic and sends
it to different destinations rather than to all systems on the network. Works
on OSI layer 2. Ethernet
Hub Connects multiple Ethernet segments together making them act
as a single segment. When using a hub, every attached device shares the same broadcast
domain and the same collision domain. Therefore, only one computer connected to
the hub is able to transmit at a time. Depending on the network topology, the
hub provides a basic level 1 OSI model connection among the network objects (workstations,
servers, etc). It provides bandwidth which is shared among all the objects, compared
to switches, which provide a dedicated connection between individual nodes. Works
on OSI layer 1. Repeater Device
to amplify or regenerate digital signals received while setting them from one
part of a network into another. Works on OSI layer 1. Multilayer
Switch A switch which, in addition to switching on OSI layer 2,
provides functionality at higher protocol layers. Protocol
Converter A hardware device that converts between two different
types of transmissions, such as asynchronous and synchronous transmissions. Media
Hub Connects a computer network to a home theatre Proxy Computer
network service which allows clients to make indirect network connections to other
network services Firewall A
piece of hardware or software put on the network to prevent some communications
forbidden by the network policy Multiplexer Device
that combines several electrical signals into a single signal Network
Interface Card A piece of computer hardware to allow the attached
computer to communicate by network Modem Device
that modulates an analog "carrier" signal (such as sound), to encode
digital information, and that also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode
the transmitted information, as a computer communicating with another computer
over the telephone network ISDN
Terminal Adapter A specialized gateway for ISDN Line
Driver A device to increase transmission distance by amplifying
the signal. Base-band networks only. |