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NETWORK COMPONENTS

WEEK 9 SESSION 1 READING 1

Network Components

A network consists of many components. We need to understand the purpose of these components.

Network Components

Patch Panel

A patch panel separates the hardwiring of your network from your networking equipment. Each run of cable that goes throughout the house or building is punched down on the back of the patch panel

Rather than RJ45 ports, this side is equipped with punch down terminations and color-coding for T568A and T568B wiring. There are also independent verification testing symbols for UL and 3P certification.

Each set of punch down terminations corresponds to a port on the front of the panel. Patch Cables connect the ports on the front of the patch panel (or panels) to your networking equipment (such as switches, hubs, and routers).

Network Components

Network Components

Network Components

Server Rack

A computer rack (commonly called a rack) is a metal frame used to hold various hardware devices such as servers, hard disk drives, modems and other electronic equipment.

Generally the individual devices are screwed into the front, which has tapped metal strips with spaced holes to accommodate the height of the devices, usually 1.75 inches of space is between each hole .

While racks come in many different shapes and sizes, the standard (traditional) size rack is 19-inches wide. Racks are usually made of aluminum or stainless steel. The Electronics Industries Association (EIA) establishes standards for cabinets and racks intended for use with computers and other electronic equipment.

Network Components

Server Racks

Network Components

Switch

Most business networks today use switches to connect computers, printers and servers within a building or campus. A switch serves as a controller, enabling networked devices to talk to each other efficiently.

A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers together within one local area network (LAN).

Network Components

50 Port Network Switch

Network Components

Router

A router is a device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network. Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks connect, and are the critical device that keeps data flowing between networks and keeps the networks connected to the Internet.

When data is sent between locations on one network or from one network to a second network the data is always seen and directed to the correct location by the router. The router accomplishes this by using headers and forwarding tables to determine the best path for forwarding the data packets.

Network Components

Router

Network Components

Bridge

In telecommunication networks, a bridge is a product that connects a local area network (LAN) to another local area network that uses the same protocol (for example, Ethernet or token ring). You can envision a bridge as being a device that decides whether a message from you to someone else is going to the local area network in your building or to someone on the local area network in the building across the street. A bridge examines each message on a LAN, "passing" those known to be within the same LAN, and forwarding those known to be on the other interconnected LAN (or LANs).

Network Components

Protocols

A network protocol defines rules and conventions for communication between network devices. Protocols for computer networking all generally use packet switching techniques to send and receive messages in the form of packets.

e.g.

Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Ethernet Protocol