Kevin Harrison LTEC 4550 Assignment 3

 Ethernet Hub  An unsophisticated device that is used for connecting multiple Ethernet devices together.  Typically between 4 and 8 ports but can be as many as 24 ports  Operates at Layer 1 of the OSI model as it does not process data  Typically used in a home, small office, or conference room  Also known as a network hub and repeater hub  Hop count rules limit the number of hubs that can be interconnected between two computers.

 Ethernet Switch  Similar to a hub, a switch is used for connecting multiple Ethernet devices together but a switch is more intelligent because it only transmits data to the intended device  Typically between 8, 12, or 24 ports  Operates at layer 2 of the OSI model  Can be used in a home or business  Switch allows users to greatly expand networks; there are no limits to the number of switches that can be interconnected between two computers

 Router  Specialized hardware device designed to route packets between nodes in a data network.  Home router typically has 4 ports and wireless capability Business router typically has 8, 12, or 24 ports  Operates at layer 3 of the OSI model  Can route messages across fiber optic, coaxial, and twisted pair cabling.  Uses a routing table to direct packets that have been received  High end routers can be configured as firewalls and have network management features

 Bridge  A device that connects two or more local area networks, or two or more segments of the same network  Home router typically has 4 ports and wireless capability Business router typically has 8, 12, or 24 ports  Operates at the first 2 layers of the OSI model  Filters information so that network traffic intended for one portion of the network does not congest the rest of the network  More recently it has become possible for bridges to connect networks with different physical and data link level protocols  Bridges are relatively simple and efficient traffic regulators but are being replaced by switches and routers

 Gateway  A device that translates information between different network data formats or network architectures  Most gateways operate at the application layer, but can operate at the network or session layer of the OSI model  A network gateway can be implemented completely in software, completely in hardware, or as a combination of both  On home networks, a broadband router typically serves as the network gateway, although ordinary computers can also be configured to perform equivalent functions

 Firewall  A device that prevents unauthorized electronic access to your entire network  Can be divided into 3 general categories: packet-screening firewalls, proxy servers, and stateful inspection proxies  Operate by examining incoming or outgoing packets for information at OSI level 3  Examines information inside every network packet and based on a list of restrictions which you provide, the firewall allows or disables each packet from traveling any further  The term firewall is generic, and includes many different kinds of protective hardware and software

 Wireless Access Point  Central connecting device in a wireless network  Most operate with the IEEE specifications  An WAP normally connects directly to a wired Ethernet connection and the WAP then provides wireless connections using radio frequency links for other devices to utilize that wired connection  Serves to join or "bridge" wireless clients to a wired Ethernet network  An WAP may connect to another access point or to a wired Ethernet router

Full Network Diagram