Table of Contents

    Basic devices of a network

    Rumman Ansari February 26, 2024 455 views

    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.

    server
    Figure:

    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.

    switch
    Figure:

    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.

    Network Interface Card
    Figure:

    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.

    Routers
    Figure: Router

    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.

    Gateway
    Figure: Gateway

    The following example shows a network between two computers using the devices discussed above.

    Gateway Example
    Figure: Gateway Example

    An Example of a Computer Network

    In this example, you can observe how the computers are connected to the server computer via the switch.

    An Example of a Computer Network
    Figure: An Example of a Computer Network