Network Hardware

• NIC - Network interface card


  Every computer connected to the network needs a NIC, it can connect to either a wired or wireless network. A NIC provides a computer with a dedicated, full-time connection to a network
• WAP - Wireless access point


  A wireless access point allows wireless enabled devices to connect to a network without cables, they are more convenient. They have less bandwidth than a wired connection. Security is more of a concern; connection is sometimes not as strong or reliable
• Switch

  A switch sends data between computers on a LAN, they control traffic and send it to the correct location, they can understand how to forward traffic in an intelligent way
• Router

  A router sends data between networks, it creates a WAN from a number of LANs, you cannot connect to a WAN without using a router, a router uses an IP address to route traffic
• Wired connections

  • Assure maximum bandwidth, security and reliability with twisted pair cables, the wires are twisted around each other to reduce interference, normally a set of wires for transmission and receiving data
• Fibre optic cables

  • Use light to transmit data, cover much longer distances and a greater bandwidth than the copper, the backbone of the internet uses fibre optic cables
• Transmission media

  • Wired
  • Wireless
• In modern networks, wired media use either twisted copper wiring, or fibre-optic cable