NETWORKING COMPONENTS

Hub

A hub is a piece of hardware that connects multiple wired devices together on a single network. Hubs work at the physical layer (layer 1) of the OSI model. A hub is basically used to increase the number of network ports in a area. Prices range from as little as $35 up to $1500.

Switch

A network switch or a managed switch is a networking device that connects network segments. A switch would be used to connect different floors or departments to the network. A switch routes data at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. Switch prices can range from $75 up to $30,000.

Router

A router is a piece of hardware that connects multiple networks together and forwards data packets between the networks. When data comes in on one of the lines, the router reads the data packet for the destination then routs the packet to the correct network. A router routes data at the network layer (layer 3) of the OSI model. Router prices range from $50 to all the way up to $95,000.

Bridge

A network bridge connects multiple network segments together. A bridge and a switch are very similar; a switch traditionally has more ports.  Bridges are sometimes used as repeaters to rebroadcast to data to network segments. A bridge routes data at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. Prices range from $50 to $2500.

Gateway

A Gateway is a network node that has the ability to interface with other networks that uses different protocols. Gateways operate at all 7 layers of the OSI model. Prices range from $100 to $70,000

Firewall

A hardware firewall is a device that ether permits or denies network access based upon a set of rules that protects networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate data communication. Prices range from $90 to $17,000

Wireless AP

A wireless access point is a piece of hardware that allows a wireless capable device to connect to a network using a wireless standard. The access point usually connects to a router (via a wired network), and can relay data between the wireless devices (such as computers or printers) and wired devices on the network. Prices range from $35 to $335

Works Cited Wikipedia. Web. 24 Oct. 2011.

<http://wikipedia.org>.