Understanding Network Devices

What is networking devices?

• Networking devices are the hardware component that connects computer and other devices,due to which we are able to perform the functionalities like data exchange , traffic mamangement and internet access .

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Have you ever wondered , How internet Reachs to your laptop?

When we open any website or sends any message online , the process looks simple and very fluent. but this is all possible because of the networking devices that are running behind the scene. In this Blog we are going to understand these devices one by one using simple definitions and examples.

Some Common Networking devices →

1. Modem

2. Routers

3. Hub

4. Switch

5. Bridge

6. Gateway

7. Firewall

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Modem :

• Modem stands for Modulation/ Demodulation that connects your locak network to the internet service providers (ISP)

• It’s main main function is to convert digital data from you devices into analog signals that can travel over the fibers or cables.

• basically without Modem we cannot access the internet

  

Router :

• Router is a networking device that connects multiple devices to the internet and routes data packets betwen networks by deciding the best path for each packet using IP addresses.

• Key responsibility of the router is to assign local IP address , routes data to correct destinations , provides wires/ wireless wifi connectivity

  

Difference between Router and Modem :

• these are the key difference between the modem and router

Hub:

• Hub is a networking device that sends incoming data to all connected devices , regardless of the intended recipient.

• When we use this device it is very simple to use and propogate signals from one devices to another devices

• Drawback of hub is , since it sends signal to all the connected devices means ,the devices which dont need or we dont want to send signals to are also getting the data which makes it slow and even cause the collison

Switch :

• Switch is also doing the same work of sending incoming data but in intelligent way, means it only sends the data to the target devices.

• for the devices , it stores the MAC address of each device which helps it to send the data to the desired device

Difference between Switch and Hub:

Bridge :

• Bridge is a networking device which is used to connect two different networks(LAN), so that devices from differnet networks also able to communicate with each other.

• it reduces the collision and network traffic with the help of MAC address , with the help of these MAC addresses it is also able to filter the target device is in which network on the same or different

Gateway :

• Gateway is used to connect devices from different networks, basically it first translates the data according to Network rules where data suppose to reach

• It is installed at the network edge and manges all data that data entries or exits

• it is also known as protocol converter

  

Firewall :

• it is a kind of security system which acts as a security guard to allow only those data packets which are allowed

• Key responsibilities of firewall is to block malicious traffic, allow trusted communication and protects internal networks

• Also it filters data packets to either Accept, Reject and Drop.

  • Accept → Allow data packets to enter in the network.

  • Reject → Reject data packets and response with errors.

  • Drop → Drop data packets silently

• There are 3 types of firewall

  • Hardware firewalls

  • Software firewalls

  • Cloud firewalls (AWS,Azure)

    

Load Balancer :

• Load Balancer is a networking component that distributes incoming traffic accross multiple servers to ensure high availability, better performance and fault tolerance.

• It is important because it prevents server overload, improves response time and enable horizontal scaling.

• REAL WORLD ANALOGY → A load balancer works like a toll booth system with multiple lanes to avoid traffic jams.

  

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Hope you enjoyed reading..