Basic devices of a network
Table of Content:
Basic devices of a network
Server
The server manages the software, the hardware, the files and communication in the network. Any ordinary computer with the necessary software installed can be used as a server.
FACT File: Any ordinary computer with relevant software installed can function as a server.
Switch
The switch acts as the mediator between two or more computers. The switch recognises the destination on the computer or the device when messages are sent from one computer to another in the network e.g. when printing command is given from one computer that message is sent to the relevant device i.e. the printer via switch.
Network Interface Card
A network interface controller (also known as network interface card, network adapter, LAN adapter and by similar terms) is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.
Router
The router is used to connect one network to another network or to the internet. The router connects your computer or the network to the internet easily.
Gateway
A gateway converts the data passing between dissimilar networks so that each side can communicate with each other i.e. converts data into the correct network protocol. The gateway is a mixture of hardware and software components.
The following example shows a network between two computers using the devices discussed above.
An Example of a Computer Network
In this example, you can observe how the computers are connected to the server computer via the switch.
