Network Hardware

... allows a computer to connect to a wired network.​ It allows data packets to travel to and from a computer and uses the MAC address. It allows an Ethernet cable to be plugged into this.

• Router

• Switch

• Network Interface Card

• Wireless Access Point

A device that connects nodes/devices together.​ It transmits the data packets by broadcasting them across the whole of the network.​

• Switch

• Hub

• Wireless Access Point

• Router

A device that connects two or more nodes/devices together and directs data packets to the correct device using the MAC address.

• Wireless Access Point

• Router

• Hub

• Switch

A device used to connect two or more networks to one another.​ They manage the data packets enabling them to be sent between networks (e.g. over the internet)

• Router

• Wireless Access Point

• Switch

• Hub

Typical cable used in a network to connect the different nodes together. These are the cheapest network cable but have slower data transfer, uses copper wires to send electric signals

• Fibre Optic Cable

• Ethernet Cable

These are network cables that connect nodes and send data through light signals. These are transfer data faster than the other type of cables but cost more.

• Fibre Optic Cable

• Ethernet Cable

Allows for wireless devices to connect to a network (either LAN or WAN).​ Includes connections through Wifi which are must slower than a direct cable connection.

• Wifi Access Point

• Wireless Access Point

• Wide Access Point

• Wireless Answer Point

A computer device that provides a service to another computer for example this could be to save files and software centrally, store emails or hold a queue of documents waiting to be printed.

• Switch

• Wireless Access Point

• Network Interface Card

• Server