Hardware Components of Computer Network

Hardware Components

Physical parts and devices used to connect computers in the network environment are called hardware components.

The hardware components of a network are:

Server

Workstation

Connectors

Cables

NIC

Hub

Repeater

Bridge

Switch

Router

Gateway

MODEM

Server

Server is the main computer that provides services, data and other resources to other computers in the network environment.

The server computer uses networking operating software like Novell Netware Server, Windows NT Server, Linux, UNIX, etc.

Different types of servers are file server, print server, application server etc.

The differences between Dedicated Server and Non-dedicated Server are:

Dedicated Server	Non-dedicated Server
A server computer that controls and provides services hardware and software resources to other computers on the network is called dedicated server.	A computer on a network that allows a user to use it as a workstation and provides facilities of sharing its resources to other computers on the network is called non-dedicated server.
It controls and provides resources to the client computers on the network but does not allow a user to use it as a workstation.	It controls and provides resources to the other computers on the network as well as allows a user to use it as a workstation.

WorkstationWorkstation is a computer, where the client works which requests services, data and other resources available on the server.

The client computer uses operating system like Windows 98, Windows XP,  Red Hat Linux Workstation,etc.

Node

Each computer or device in a network is called node.

CablesCables are commonly used mediums for physical channel for transmitting data across network.

Examples of cables are coaxial, twisted pair and fiber optic cable.

NIC

A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware device that acts as an interface through which a computer is connected to a network.

The function of NIC is to convert data into electronic signals and transfer them through cables and vice-versa.

ConnectorsConnectors acts as an interface between the NIC of the computer and the cable that passes data from one computer to another.

Examples of connectors are BNC used with coaxial cable, RJ 45 used with UTP cable, ST used with fiber optic cable etc.

Hub

A hub is a network device with multiple points or ports which acts as a central point from where different computers and other devices are connected.

Hub is mostly used in physical star topology.

It cannot determine source and destination device of the data. 

Hub broadcasts the electric signals

Switch

A switch is a networking device that has multiple connecting ports which is often used interchangeably with the bridge.

It can determine source and destination device of data.

RepeaterRepeater is a device that amplifies the incoming signals, creates a copy of it and transmits the signals on network.

Bridge

A bridge is a device that connects two or more similar types of network which filters the data or inspects incoming signals and decides whether to forward the signals or discard them.

Router

Router is an intelligent device that connects two different networks which uses the address for filtering and forwarding the data as well as it has an ability to determine the best route for destination.

Gateway

Gateway is an interconnecting device that connects two dissimilar networks.

MODEM

MODEM is a device which is used to transfer the data of one computer to another computer using telephone lines.

The role of MODEM in data transmission is that it transfers data from one computer to another through telephone line. It also converts the digital signal into analog and vice versa.

Modulation

The process of translating digital signals of a computer to analog signals, which are then transmitted across the standard telephone lines, is known as modulation.

Demodulation

The process of translating analog signals from a phone line and converts then into digital signals for the computer is known as demodulation.

How does MODEM help in transmission of data in computer network?

MODEM helps in transmission of data in computer network by transferring the data of one computer to another using a telephone line. It converts the discrete stream of digital ON-OFF electrical pulses used by computers into the continuously variable analog wave patterns over existing telephone lines and vice versa.

Mention the importance of MODEM in computer network.

The importance of MODEM in computer network is that it enables a computer to transmit data and files over a telephone line. It can convert digital signals into analog signals and vice-versa.