| Networking a computer is not only connecting | | | | arrived at one port, being subsequently copied to |
| individual computers but also digital devices of | | | | all ports of the hub for transmission without any |
| data transmission. These devices vary with the | | | | modification. The destination address in the frame |
| difference of technologies used by different | | | | is not changed to a broadcast address. |
| networks. But, network equipments can be | | | | Bridges |
| enlisted as Network Interface Cards (NICs), | | | | Network bridges connect multiple network |
| Bridges, Hubs, Switches, and Routers. Besides | | | | segments. These equipments never broadcast to |
| them, an Ethernet card may be required. The | | | | the ports except the one receiving the broadcast. |
| common connection methods are by using | | | | However, bridges do not copy traffic to all ports |
| Category 5 galvanic cable, optical fiber cable. | | | | but identify reachable MAC addresses through |
| Sometimes microwave links (as in IEEE 802.12) is | | | | certain ports. |
| also used to connect these equipments. | | | | Switches |
| Network interface cards | | | | Switch filters chunk of data between ports |
| A network card, network adapter, or network | | | | depending on the MAC addresses in the packets. |
| interface card (NIC) is a hardware which helps | | | | Unlike hubs, it only forwards the frames to the |
| computers to communicate over a computer | | | | ports involved in the communication instead of all |
| network. Physical access to a networking medium | | | | ports connected. A switch breaks the collision |
| is provided by this device. Often, a low-level | | | | domain but represents itself a broadcast domain. |
| addressing system is also provided by this device | | | | Switches decide forwarding of frames with |
| through the use of MAC addresses. Repeaters | | | | respect to their MAC addresses. Each switch |
| A repeater is exclusive because of its ability of | | | | generally has numerous ports. Thus it helps in |
| cleaning noises from signals it receives. This | | | | facilitating a star topology for devices in networks |
| electronic device regenerates it and retransmits | | | | and cascading additional switches. Some switches |
| noise free signal at a higher power level, alleviating | | | | are capable of routing. |
| obstruction. Thus signal can spread over longer | | | | Routers |
| distances without degradation. Repeaters are | | | | Routers are networking devices which forward |
| required for cable which runs longer than 100 | | | | packets between networks. Forwarding packets |
| meters in most of the twisted pair Ethernet | | | | depends on information in protocol headers and |
| configurations. | | | | also on forwarding tables. These two determine |
| Hubs | | | | the best next router for each packet. |
| In network hub containing multiple ports, packet | | | | |