Networking Hardware

       Networking hardware typically refers to devices facilitating the use of a computer network. Typically, this includes gateways, routers, network bridges, switches, hubs, and repeaters. Also, hybrid network devices such as multilayer switches, protocol converters and bridge routers. And, proxy servers, firewalls and network address translators. Also, multiplexers, network interface controllers, wireless network interface controllers, modems, ISDN terminal adapters and line drivers. And, wireless access points, networking cables and other related hardware.

Computer networking devices are units that mediate data in a computer network. Computer networking devices are also called network equipment, Intermediate Systems (IS) or InterWorking Unit (IWU).Units which are the last receiver or generate data are called hosts or data terminal equipment.

The most common kind of networking hardware today is copper-based Ethernet adapters, helped largely by its standard inclusion on most modern computer systems. Wireless networking has become increasingly popular, however, especially for portable and handheld devices.

Other hardware prevalent within computer networking is datacenter equipment (such as file servers, database servers and storage areas), network services (such as DNS, DHCP, email etc) as well as other specific network devices such as content delivery.

Other diverse devices which may be considered networking hardware include mobile phones, PDAs and even modern coffee machines. As technology grows and IP-based networks are integrated into building infrastructure and household utilities, network hardware becomes an ambiguous statement owing to the increasing number of "network capable" endpoints.

There are many different names for network adapters, including network cards, Network Interface Cards, NICs. These are all generic terms for the same piece of hardware. A network card’s job is to physically attach a computer to a network, so that the computer can participate in network communications.

The first thing that you need to know about network cards is that the network card has to match the network medium. The network medium refers to the type of cabling that is being used on the network. Wireless networks are a science all their own, and I will talk about them in a separate article.

At one time making sure that a network card matched the network medium was a really big deal, because there were a large number of competing standards in existence. For example, before you built a network and started buying network cards and cabling, you had to decide if you were going to use Ethernet, coaxal Ethernet, Token Ring, Arcnet, or one of the other networking standards of the time.  Each networking technology had its strengths and weaknesses, and it was important to figure out which one was the most appropriate for your organization.

Depending on the type of topology used for your network, as well as the type of cabling used, your LAN may require some sort of connectivity device in order for your computers, printers and other devices to communicate with each other. But, there are also cases where you may need to extend your network or your LAN or even add additional end users, which require connectivity. Regardless of your situation, some devices serve to connect devices, while others are used to boost data transmission on the network medium. And, still, there are others that participate in determining how data traffic is to flow through the network.

Some of the specific networking hardware devices used today are hubs, repeaters, switches and routers. Repeaters, switches and routers are known as internetworking devices. If you're not familiar with the term "internetwork", it is a network of LANs where connectivity technology is used to extend a LAN far beyond its normal size. It is also a term used to describe different LANs that are connected together to form one large network.