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Network equipment provides a connection between a computer and a local network, that is, a cable. It can be active and passive. Passive equipment is everything that allows you to transmit signals. These include: electric, fiber-optic cables, as well as connectors for connecting cables.
Active equipment is network adapters that can independently process information and transmit it over the network. Active include: repeaters, hubs, switches, bridges, routers, gateways.
There are quite a lot of options for network equipment, and in order not to get lost in its diversity, it will be more convenient to immediately seek help from experienced professionals from https://olmi-connect.ru.
Any network implies the use of network adapters. They are built into the computer, or they can be a separate board that is inserted into the system bus. All these intermediate devices become mandatory for data transfer. Some of them are used more often, others less often. According to their functional properties, some are complex, others are simple. Theoretically, you can do without them, but in practice they are increasingly becoming an integral part of the network. There can be no network without network adapters.
Functions of intermediate devices:
1. Repeaters - do not transform the nature of the signal, retransmit it, amplify the signal traveling through the network.
2. Transceivers (transceivers) – amplify the signal, transform it.
3. Concentrators (hubs) - essentially, represent the connection of several repeaters in one housing. They combine network connection points. When working with them, more than two computers can participate.
It should be noted that all three types do not accumulate information. They are the simplest intermediate devices. These network adapters do not analyze the information that comes to them. They treat an incoming data packet as a set of characters. And they amplify this set of signals. They transmit the information that passes through them without delving into it. Such devices are
operate on the first physical layer of the OSI model.
4. Bridges are network adapters that involve connecting different networks. For example: Internet networks with the ARCNET network. Bridges convert packet formats, work with two networks. The bridge is built so as not to transmit the information that should not be transmitted. They analyze to whom the information is addressed and from whom.
5. Switches (switches) - they were developed a little later than bridges, but the function of transmitting a packet of information from one person to another remained. The address field (physical MAC address) is analyzed. Based on the address, they decide to transfer information or not. They have greater intelligence. They work at the second level of the OSI model, but they also support the first level. Switches are more universal, connecting several different networks.
6. Routers are more complex devices. In the same way as switches, they are recognized as intermediate devices. But they allow for complex processing of the information received by them. These are devices that choose the route of information packet delivery on their own. They are used in those networks that have several data transmission paths. The network is more deeply divided into parts. They have their own MAC address, accept packets addressed only to them, and then decide where to send this packet to which network. They work based on the analysis of IP and IPX logical addresses. The third level of the OSI model is supported. They are more complex devices, and therefore more expensive.
7. The gateway is also an intermediate device. It is the most complex among those listed, performs more functions. It serves to combine a local network with a network of the second type (local with global). They can work from the fourth to the seventh levels of the OSI model.
It is also necessary to note one more adapter - a network card. It is built into the motherboard of the computer itself and transmits information between PCs in the network. The network card has its own individual MAC address. In the network, it allows you to identify each device and delivers data only to it.
In order to choose network equipment, you need to clearly know for what purposes it will be purchased. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, it is better to turn to professionals for advice.
