Nt1310 Network Devices

1202 Words5 Pages
Network devices provide a way for a computer or device to physically connect to the network via cable or media. The components of network devices are what allow a device to transmit and receive data. As a network becomes more complex, internetwork devices are used to connect between networks as well as networks using different protocols. Within every device is a network interface card (NIC) or network adapter. The NIC provides the physical connection between the device and the network (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). The device driver of the computer controls and allows communication between the computer’s operating system and the NIC (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). A Media Access Control (MAC) address is uniquely hard-coded into the NIC of the device…show more content…
Hubs pass along all information received, regardless of which device it is intended (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Since there is no filtering process, this can cause an increase in congestion of data on the network (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Although they are inexpensive, easily implemented and maintained, and can connect media operating at different speeds, they can have a higher incidence of collisions (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Using a hub for an Ethernet network has several considerations. One needs to know the type of media connection needed, the number of ports needed (either 4 or 48), and the speed of the hub (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). One also needs to know whether the hub is managed or unmanaged (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). A managed hub allows a network administrator to view how the device is working from a remote workstation (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). It also needs to be considered if the hub has an uplink port which allows interconnection between two hubs (Ciccarelli, et al…show more content…
However, switches filter data according to the MAC address. This can reduce congestion and decrease the collision domain (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Switches support management capabilities and some provide built-in web servers for management over the Internet (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Switches allow the network to be grouped into segments and can limit the amount of broadcast traffic that is propagated between segments (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Because of their sophistication, switches can be more expensive, difficult to configure, and can increase the complexity of a network (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Switches can be used in Ethernet, Token Ring, or FDDI protocols, but are specific to that protocol. This means that an Ethernet switch cannot be used on a Token Ring or FDDI protocol and vice versa (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). Multistation Access Units (MAUs) function similar to a hub or switch, but they are exclusively for a Token Ring network (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). MAUs are easy to install and troubleshoot. However, MAUs are more expensive than hubs and switches. In addition, compatible hardware, cables, and NICs are also expensive and not readily available (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). The maximum amount of bandwidth a MAU can support is 16Mbps (Ciccarelli, et al 2013). MAUs can only operate at 4Mbps or 16Mbps which means that you cannot connect a 4Mbps MAU to a 16Mbps MAU (Ciccarelli, et al
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