Hardware
components of a computer network (Elements of Network)
Physical parts and devices used
to connect computers in the network environment are called hardware components.
The hardware components of computer network are
a)
Computer
system (Server or Workstation) b)
Network connectors c) Network
cables
d) NIC Card e)
MODEM f) Hub g)
Bridge
h) Switch i) Router j) Gateway k) Repeater
Server
A server is the main computer
that provides services, data and other resources to the other computers in the
network environment. Network operating software used by server is Novell
Netware, Linux, Unix etc. Different types of servers are file
server, print server, application server etc.
Workstation
Workstation
is a computer network that utilizes network resources. Network operating
software used by workstation are Windows 98, Windows XP etc.
Node
Each computer
or device of network is called node.
Router
[MFT 2075]
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.
Network
Interface Card (NIC) [SQE 2075K]
A Network
Interface Card (NIC) is the adapter through which the computer is connected to
the network. The function of NIC is to convert data into electronic signals and
transfer them through cables and vice-versa. The advantage is to present the platform for a communication
between the computers within a network.
Cable
Cables are
commonly used media of physical channel for transmitting data between computers
in network. Examples of cables are coaxial, twisted
pair and fiber optic cable.
Connector
Connector is
an interface between the NIC of the computer and the cable that passes data
between computers in network. Examples of connectors are BNC used
with coaxial cable, RJ 45 used with UTP cable, ST used with fiber optic cable
etc.
Hub
[MF 2076]
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. It
broadcasts all network data across each connection.
Hub
is mostly used in physical star topology.
Switch
[MF 2076]
A switch is a networking device that has multiple connecting
ports which is often used interchangeably with the bridge.
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.
Gateway
Gateway is an interconnecting device that connects two
dissimilar networks
Repeater
Repeater is
a device that amplifies the incoming signals, creates a copy of it and
transmits the signal on network.
MODEM
[MFT 2075]
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.
Importance
of MODEM [SLC 2064] [SLC 2071 S] [SEE 2073 U]
MODEM modulates the digital codes
of the computer into analog signal, which then can travel through the telephone
cable. At the receiving end the MODEM kept there will demodulate the analog
signal to digital codes, which can be then understood and used by the receiving
computer. In this way a MODEM makes the computer network possible.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment