Connectivity Devices

Network Interface Card (NIC) Allow user to connect to networks via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi Nowadays integrally fitted into the motherboard Most modern computers will include wireless network facility in addition to the cabled connection

Modem Enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analogue waves A modem converts between these two forms

Routers Typically small, box-like pieces of equipment that multiple computers can connect to Joins together multiple local area networks (LANs) with a wide area network (WAN or the Internet)

Hubs and Switches Hubs connects multiple computers together in a network Allows each device to talk to the others Anything that comes into one port is sent to all the others (computers) Switches are more efficient than hubs sometimes called (intelligent hubs” Only sends data to where it should go rather than all ports