For networks to communicate properly, connecting devices are essential. Here are some of the different types of connecting devices for netwo
Networks rely on several components in order to function properly. One of the key components in any network is connecting devices. Connecting devices refer to middleware between network media. They serve the crucial role of binding devices in a network together so that the network can function and communicate properly. Here is a look at some of the different types of connecting devices for networks.
Switches
A network switch is a type of hardware that serves as a connectivity point in an Ethernet network. It can connect multiple devices in a network, such as wireless access points, servers, and computers.
Once connected, a networking switch allows the devices to communicate and share information by receiving data from input ports and sending it to output ports, where the data travels to its ultimate destination. Switches typically forward data at the data link layer of the OSI network model. However, certain types of switches can also forward data at the network layer. There are several types of networking switches that one can utilize in a network, such as managed switches, unmanaged switches, PoE switches, and LAN switches.
Repeaters
Another type of connecting device for networks is a repeater. Repeaters work at the physical layer of the OSI network model. They allow a network signal to cover a greater distance or pass through obstructions by extending the network’s transmissions. To do this, a repeater receives an incoming signal and then amplifies or regenerates it before retransmitting the signal.
Routers
A router facilitates connections between networks by allowing multiple network devices to share a single IP address. In this scenario, the router connects to at least two data lines from differing networks. Upon receiving a data packet from one of the lines, the router then reads and forwards the data packet to its intended destination in a different network.
Routers operate on the network-control layer of the OSI Model. Examples of the different types of routers that a network may have include wired routers, wireless routers, virtual routers, core routers, and edge routers.