9.3 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
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
- 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
