Basics of Network Hardware

Basic knowledge of networking is a great asset in today’s world.
Eventhough you don’t want to know the details about network and network hardware, your ability to make a simple connection between your computer to another computer, a router or a peripheral will be a great advantage for yourself.

It is a good idea if you have a basic understanding of the equipment you need and how it works.
Through this article, you will learn the basic building blocks of a computer network and various types of network hardware.

A network definitely will require a computer as the object.
If this subject is new for you, a very good first lesson is attempting to connect between two computers. Either using an ethernet cable or wireless connection until both computers connected and able to share information. If you can do this, then CONGRATULATIONS, you have created your first network.

However, when you need to add more computers, printers, scanners, another peripherals, and internet connection, things are getting a lot more complicated.

The basic components for home network is listed below, as for business network components are definitely more complex.
So, here is a basic hardware overview needed to build a network.

Cable or wireless?
The most basic requirement of any network is that the various components are connected to each other.
There are two choices of connections, Cable or Wireless.

Cable.
Ethernet cable remains the fastest amongs the two types of connections and also an important building block of most networks, especially for a large business network where high data transfer speeds are essential.

Wireless.
The next generation of wireless is prepared to close the gap on ethernet cable in terms of speed, and offer a much greater range.
Wireless connection is often used in small networks because it can reduce the expense and the mess of ethernet cables. To maintain this kind of connection is easier and cheaper then cable connection.

Modems
A network can be configured without connecting to the internet, but these days this kind of policy is rarely happen.
For a network to be connected to the internet requires a modem.
Most modern home or small business networks will use a Cable/ADSL modem. By using ethernet, these usually preserve speeds of up to 10 Mbps. However, not many internet service provider serve connection with this speed. Although dial-up modems and USB modems are still used, home and small business users prefer to use ethernet modems.

Routers
A router is important for all networks because it provides the connection between Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network. In this case, LAN refers to home or small business network, and WAN refers to the internet.
Most home network are using combined modem, router and switch which will permits the network to make a connection to the internet and permits any computers, peripherals inside the network to communicate with each other.
As for the very huge business networks, they will use router and switch separately as their network devices.

Switches and hubs
These two network hardwares often cause a lot of confusion about the differences.
Both network hardware permits computers and devices inside the network to communicate.
However, there are some substansial differences between the two network hardware.

Switch.
Between the two network hardware, switch is the better and the more expensive.
Switches are important network hardware for a large networks because it makes transmitting information much more efficient.
A switch can determine which computer or peripheral destination inside the network, and it will only send to its intended destination.
The advantage of using switch as a network hardware can be noticed on a larger networks.

Hub.
Much more simple network hardware that can connect 4 to 24 devices.
The data will pass through the hub but the hub will not interfere with the data in any way.
Therefor, data sent through a hub will be sent to, and can be accessed by, all devices on a network.

Firewalls
Firewall is a network hardware that is not really necessary for home networks.
If you are using Windows as your operating system, they usually have built in firewall software that should be more than enough to protect your network.
However, it essential for business networks that keeps large amounts of sensitive information/data to utilize a very good network hardware which is firewall.
Every kind of information that comes from outside the network have to pass through the firewall before it can reach the network’s main switch.
If the firewall is properly configured by the network professional this should provide all the security for the business.
Further protection using a firewall software inside the network is also good option to secure the network.