Version 1.0, August 31, 2001, Copyright, Hugh Jack 1993-2001

31.6.2.9 - Networking Hardware

 

· A number of basic components are required for networks

 

· Computer (or dedicated computing equipment)

  1. - An obvious must. Without the computer there is no need for networking
  2. - Approximate cost $500 to $1,000,000

 

· Network Interface Hardware

  1. - Some computers come with built in network interfaces, If these are for the wrong network types, or there is no network interface, a networking interface must be purchased.
  2. - examples are ethernet, latticenet, fibre, etc.
  3. - Approximate Cost $30.00 and up

 

· The Media,

  1. - This is the cabling which will connect the computers
  2. - 10base2 (thin wire) is thin shielded coaxial cable with BNC connectors
  3. - 10baseF (fiber optic) is costly, but signal transmission and noise properties are very good.
  4. - 10baseT (twisted pair) is the most popular. It is a pair of twisted copper wires terminated with an RJ-45 connector.
  5. - Approximate cost for thick net $40 + $5/station, for thin net $10 + $1/station
  6. - 10base2

 

· Transceiver

  1. - A device which is sometimes included between the network media, and the network interface hardware.
  2. - Allows easy changes to media type.
  3. - Not used for thin cable computer interfaces.
  4. - Approximate costs $100 to $200

 

· Hub/Concentrator

  1. - Connects separate wires and will route local traffic to local wires and remote through external connections.
  2. - approximate cost $50/wire

 

· Bridges, (Data link layer)

  1. - Used when hooking one network type to another, or isolating one part of a network from another.
  2. - A bridge can be used for hooking an ethernet cable to an optical backbone cable.
  3. - Has one input, one output, and will only handle sorting by network address (like ethernet address of machine).
  4. - Approximate cost $2,000 to $5,000
  5. - Same functionality as router.

 

· Routers, (Network Layer)

  1. - When there are too many networks on the same network, a router can be used to isolate small loops of the network from traffic which does not involve it.
  2. - More intelligent than a bridge, multiple inputs/outputs.
  3. - Sorts Network packets by IP address.
  4. - Approximate cost $5,000 to $10,000.

 

· Repeaters, (Physical Layer)

  1. - If network cables are too long, the repeaters will boost the signal strength so that it may complete it's journey.
  2. - Also allows media to be changed

 

· Networking Software / Networking Management Software

  1. - Handles networking interface control for,
    1. - receiving / sending data or files
    2. - electronic mail tools
    3. - messaging systems
    4. - etc
  2. - Examples of this are NFS (Network File Server), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
  3. - Approximate costs >$1,000, unless provided with system

 

· Gateways (Application, Presentation, Session and Transport layers)

 

· An example of a micro computer with a networked interface

 

 

· Basic network hardware can be described with the 7-layer ISO model,