About Computer Networking Hardware

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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 by admin Subscribe To Our Feed

Hardware plays one of the most important roles when it comes to computer networking. Unlike other domains of information technology industry, networking is fully dependent on more hardware and less software. Let’s have a quick look at the common computer networking hardware devices we find in a regular network.

Network interface cards
When it comes to computer networking hardware, there is no networking exist without the use of network interface cards or devices. The network interface cards connect the RJ45 cables, or in other words ‘network cables’, to the computers. The network interface cards are available in different forms for different computers. As examples, PCI, USB, and PCMCA cards and devices available for suitable computer types.

Network cables
Network cables connect the computers and the rest of the computer network hardware. Network cables normally have a diversity depending on the type of the computer network. Although the copper coaxial cables are not in use anymore, the descendent, multi-core RJ45 cables are the widely used type. For high speed links and Internet backbones, fiber optic cables are used as they are capable of facilitating higher bandwidths.

Routers (wired / wireless)
Routers are the most important devices when it comes to computer networking hardware. They connect you with the rest of the world and enable you to find the information on the Internet and in the local network. For various purposes and network types, there are different types of routers. The price and the abilities of these routers vary depending on the purpose. When it comes to wireless routers, they are the latest addition to the family of computer networking hardware. The wireless routers enable the users to be mobile, and also trim the cost of mammoth wiring.

Hubs
Hubs behave the same way as routers but does not route your to the Internet or external networks located beyond your local area network. When it comes to linking computers and network devices within a small, limited geographical area, hub is the perfect device. Hubs are usually less expensive compared to the rest of the computer networking hardware.

Switches
When a network is required to be connected to an external network, then switches deliver the best results out of all computer networking hardware. As an example, if two local area networks (LANs) are to be attached together, ordinarily a switch is used. Since most of the switches are programmable, you can use switches to define how your network should behave when interface with foreign networks.

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