1.3 NETWORKING HARDWARE

 

• A number of basic components are required for networks

 

• Computer (or dedicated computing equipment)

- An obvious must. Without the computer there is no need for networking

- Approximate cost $500 to $1,000,000

 

• Network Interface Hardware

- 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.

- examples are ethernet, latticenet, fibre, etc.

- Approximate Cost $200.00 and up

 

• The Media,

- This is the cabling which will connect the computers

- 10base2 (thin wire) is thin shielded coaxial cable with BNC connectors

- 10baseF (fiber optic) is costly, but signal transmission and noise properties are very good.

- 10baseT (twisted pair) is the most popular. It is a pair of twisted copper wires terminated with an RJ-45 connector.

- Approximate cost for thick net $40 + $5/station, for thin net $10 + $1/station

- 10base2

 

• Transceiver

- A device which is sometimes included between the network media, and the network interface hardware.

- Allows easy changes to media type.

- Not used for thin cable computer interfaces.

- Approximate costs $100 to $200

 

• Hub/Concentrator

- Connects separate wires and will route local traffic to local wires and remote through external connections.

- approximate cost $50/wire

 

• Bridges, (Data link layer)

- Used when hooking one network type to another, or isolating one part of a network from another.

- A bridge can be used for hooking an ethernet cable to an optical backbone cable.

- Has one input, one output, and will only handle sorting by network address (like ethernet address of machine).

- Approximate cost $2,000 to $5,000

- Same functionality as router.

 

• Routers, (Network Layer)

- 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.

- More intelligent than a bridge, multiple inputs/outputs.

- Sorts Network packets by IP address.

- Approximate cost $5,000 to $10,000.

 

• Repeaters, (Physical Layer)

- If network cables are too long, the repeaters will boost the signal strength so that it may complete it’s journey.

- Also allows media to be changed

 

• Networking Software / Networking Management Software

- Handles networking interface control for,

- receiving / sending data or files

- electronic mail tools

- messaging systems

- etc

- Examples of this are NFS (Network File Server), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

- 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