Types of Network Components

Components of computer network are categories into 4 different types of segments such as –

Diagram of Network Components 

• Network Hardware Components
• Network Software Components 
• Network Protocol Components 
• Network Connection Medium Components

Network Hardware Components

Hardware Components are known as “Network Hardware Devices” that are linked each other through wire or wireless connection medium.

Major Types of Network Devices

Network Interface Card

Network Interface Card (NIC) is  hardware component that is used to link multiple computers with each other over the network. NIC performs some activates such as sending and receiving data as well as controlling data flow between linked all terminals over the network. NIC is capable to send and receive data on (10,100 to 1000 Mb/s) transfer rate. All NIC contain unique id (MAC address) that is programmed on chip, and it is embedded on the network interface card.

NIC has two variant such as –

1. Wired NIC – Cables and connectors are connected to Wired NIC, which is embedded inside the motherboard.
2. Wireless NIC – Wireless NIC has small type antenna, it helps to make connection on the wireless network.

Hub

Hub is also a hardware component of computer network that helps to split large network connections into small multiple network terminals. Hub works as distribution point. When computes try to request for some piece of data from network (wired or wireless), then it has first priority to send request to Hub via cable. Hub will transmit those requests over the network, and all linked terminal will determine that those requests are related to them or not. If not related then all requests will be trashed.

Modem

Modem stands for “Modulator–Demodulator“. Main objective of using of Modem in computer network is to move data from one computer terminal to another computer terminal via telephone line system.

Types of modem are:

Ethernet modem – It is connected into NIC in the computer system.

Wireless modem – Wireless modem contains small antenna, and it is connected with computer terminal through wireless network.

Switches

Switches are used in the wired network such as Ethernet network. Switch is a small hardware component that helps to receive data from other different input ports and send this got data to appropriate output port, and finally destination terminal obtains data over the network.

Here, some types of switches

Unmanaged switches – These switches are used in the small area such as home network.

Managed switches – These switches are used in medium size of area such as small and large organizations. There are two types such as Smart switches and Enterprise managed switches.

Ethernet switches – These types of switches are mostly used to decrease network congestion, and it helps to make connection with LAN points.

PoE switches – PoE switches stands for “Power over Ethernet”, and they deliver to great flexibility by cabling process.

Router

Router performs all functions on the third layer of OSI model. Router helps to transfer data packet in between multiple point over the network. Router checks the destination IP (Internet Protocol) address of received data packet, and it transfers those data packets on best path according of headers and forwarding tables.

Types of Router are –

• Wireless Router
• Wired Router
• Brouter
• Core router
• Virtual Router
• Edge router
• Broadband routers

Bridges

Bridges is very important hardware device of computer network because it helps to make interconnection along with multiple bridge network on the similar protocol. Bridges are also called of “Layer 2 switches”.

Bridges performs all functions on the data link layer of the ISO model, and it helps to keep the MAC (media access control) address table. 

There are three types of bridge, such as – 

• Transparent bridge
• Translational bridge
• Source-route bridge

Repeater

Repeater performs all activates on the physical layer of the OSI model. It is very helpful to regain or replicate analog or digital signals, which are distorted by transmission loss. So it is known as “Signal Booster”.

Repeater is capable to relay messages between multiple sub networks in the data network.

Repeater has some variants, such as –

• Analog/Digital Repeaters
• Wired/Wireless Repeaters
• Local/Remote Repeaters

Gateways

Gateway is a special type of hardware component of the network, and it performs activities like “Gate” between two networks. Gateways provide protection like firewalls from unwanted traffic because it is placed at the edge of the network system so all data get in and out in the network through Gateways.

Gateway works on the top layers of OSI model such as transport, session, presentation, and application layers. But, it is useless to make communication between two same network protocols.

Examples of Gateway are –

• IBM AS400 microcomputer
• PC LAN

Types are

• Unidirectional Gateways – It has not permission to flow data only one direction.
• Bidirectional Gateways – It has permission to flow data both side.

Client

Client is edge point of computers which are obtained the requests and received services from server side, and it uses computer network resources such as printer, scanner, plotter, and more.

Server

Server is high level computer which are get high configuration. It has responsibility to handle all resources of the entire network system. On the server, a special type of operating system is installed, it is known as network operating system.

Server has some variants such as –

• File servers
• Database servers
• Print servers, and more