INTRODUCTION
We have three categories of network components which are:
- Hard ware components
- Network cables
- Connectors
3.1) HARD WARE COMPONENTS
Network hard ware include all computers, peripherals, interface cards and other equipments meaned to perform data processing and communication within a network. Network equipments include:
- Work stations
- Network interface Cards (NIC)
- Modems
- Hub
- Switches
- Bridges
- Repeaters
- Routers
- Gate ways
- Work Stations or Client Computers
These are all the user computers connected to a network.
- Network Interface Cards (NIC)
The Network Interface Cards (NIC) provides the physical connection between the network and the computer workstation, most of them are internal.
- Modems (Modulator-Demodulator)
It is a device that converts (modulates) analog carrier signals to digital signals and also demodulates such carrier to decode transmitted information.
- Hubs and Switches
Hubs are devices that provide a central connection points for cables workstation (server and peripherals). There are two types of hubs:
The passive hubs simply connect all ports together electrically and are usually connected to a power supply.
The active hubs use electricity amplifies and clean-up signals before they are broadcasted to the other ports.
Switches are active hubs that also memorize the addressing of computers and send information to the correct location directly.
- Repeaters
The repeater enables a cabling system to an extend beyond its maximum allowed length and boost the signals. It is also called an amplifier because it amplifies the signals to receive so that they can travel further.
- Bridges
A bridge is a device that permits to segment a large network into smaller more efficient networks. This occurs when a network has many work stations that should make high transmission traffic.
- Routers
It is a device that determines the best path for sending data, based on the address of the destination and origin of data.
- Gate ways
It is a device that allows joined together through network that use different base/protocol OR it is a device that acts as a point of entrance of exist from a network.
3.2 NETWORK CABLING
In network, the cables are expected to convey information between devices. There exist several types of cables and the cable used for a network depends on the topology, the protocol and the size of the network.
Some cables and their characteristics:
- Untwisted and Twisted Pair Cables: This cable consists of four pairs wires and each pair is twisted. This twisting have a specific purpose, that of making each wire in a pair subject to roughly the same amount of interference from adjacent wires and other electrical devices so that the effect in the two wires tends to cancel each other wire.
- Coaxial Cables: The coaxial cables are used for video connection (Example: Cable for TV connection). There are two types of coaxial cables. The thin and the thick coaxial cables.
- Fiber Optics Cable: This cable is suitable for connecting networks between building and over long distance (across continents). It has greater speeds than the coaxial cables. It can transmit signals of various types.
3.3) CONNECTORS
Connectors are those gadgets affixed at the ends of cables that can be plugged into the sockets on devices.
- RJ 11 (Registered Jack): It is used for telephone cable (twisted cable category 1).
- RJ 45 (Registered Jack): It is used as Ethernet (LAN).
- BNC (Bayonne Neil Connector): Used for coaxial cables.
- ST (Small Task) Connector: It is mainly used for fiber optic cables.
