Network Connectivity Components and their Functions

The assignment content discusses the major components of a network, including hubs, switches, bridges, routers, and gateways. Hubs are simple devices that forward incoming data to all connected devices without examining the data, while switches examine the MAC address of incoming frames and send them only to the intended device. Bridges connect two similar networks together, recognizing frame boundaries and forwarding packets based on their MAC addresses. Routers connect multiple networks together, making routing decisions based on destination IP addresses. Gateways connect different types of networks, performing translation functions as needed. The assignment also describes how networking connectivity works, from the internet to the network interface card, through routers, switches, firewalls, and finally, to the intended user.

WHAT IS NETWORKING CONNECTIVITY AND HOW IT WORKS
Networking connectivity is being described as the process of connecting the varied parts
of networks to one another. A computer network possesses the collections of printers, computers
and different others type of equipment that are connected together in such a manner so that
communication can be held between them. At present, millions of people share information as
well as data with each other via using some kind of networks. However, after seeing the given
activity one most important question that tends to arises in the mind of an individual is that how
the whole process of sharing information with the help of computer networks happen. On the
other hand, the given thing will also put another question in a person’s mind that is how a
machine can decide that specific message belongs to the particular computer. In this blog, detail
description is being given in relation to the respective aspect.
BASICS OF NETWORKING
Prior to improving the understanding of the networking connectivity process, it is vital to
improving the knowledge of the networks that are in computer networks. The discussion of the
same is given below:
Peer to Peer networks
The given form of network is used when there are not more than computers are being
used in the network. On the other hand, in the respective type of network strict security is not
very much essential. The term peer is being used in this because all the computers that are being
used in this have a similar type of status. In addition to this, they also use equal footing with an
aim to communicate with each other. In this network, different types of files such as spreadsheet
and word processing are shared. On the other hand, different computers on the network tend to
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share devices such as printers and scanners, etc. They all are connected to any one computer in
the network.
Client/server network
It is being regarded as another type of network. In today’s scenario, the given form of
network is more popular than the previous one. It can also be said that this network is used for
the large network. Here, the server plays the role of storage. In this context, it stores different
applications as well as files that are being shared over the network in an effectual way. The
performance which is being given by server is higher than the performance of computers. In
addition to this, apart from storing the files, the server also plays the role of controller in the
network. In accordance with the given context, it controls the network access of the different
other computers and they are referred from the name of client computers.
MAJOR DEVICES OF NETWORKING CONNECTIVITY
Just like above before getting into the working process of computer networking
connectivity, we need to improve the understanding in relation to different major devices that
tends to play a vital role in the networking connectivity. The details in relation to the same are
given below:
 Network interface card (NIC): The name itself suggests its meaning. But in simple words,
we can say that it is the card which interfaces between computer and network. Thus, it is
basically an expansion card which is being installed on the computer. The main aim of
this card is to connect the computer with the network. In addition to this, it can also be
said that the given device will also provide an electrical, physical and electronic
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connection to the media in the network. The NIC comes in two forms. Here, either it
could be in the form of an expansion card or it could be built in the motherboard of the
computer system. However, it has been examined that in most of the cases network
interface card connects to the computers with the help of the expansion slot. The given
slot is very much special. This is due to the reason that the respective slot placed on the
computer’s motherboard. Due to this, peripheral can directly be plugged into this. On the
other hand, it is also examined that NIC possesses LEDs (Light emitting diodes) which
assist in the task of diagnosing problems that are associated with the functionality of NIC.
Suppose if there are two different types of NIC is there then among two one will be Link
LEDs whose main work is to show that when proper connectivity to the active network is
being detected. This whole scenario will give an indication the card is receiving proper
signals from the hub or the switch. Besides this, Active LED is the most popular LED.
This indicates the receipt of framed from or to the network.
 Hub: It is also being considered as another major component of the networking
connectivity. Herein, it can be said that in the star topology Ethernet network, the hub is
basically the type of device which connects the different segments of the network
together. In this single, single cable is used as a medium with an aim to form a
connection between different devices in the network to the hub. In addition to this, it can
also be said that any kind of transmission that is being received on the one port will be
being sent out to all other port in the hub. This thing will allow CSMA/CD on the
transmitter with regard to performing the function of monitoring for the collision. For
example, if one sender sends something then in this situation station whose address
mentioned in the sender list will receive it. However, it can also be said that the hub is
nothing more than the glorified repeaters that do not possess the capability to recognize
the frame boundaries as well as data structures. It is due to the presence of a given aspect
only hubs play the act of tool which does not possess any intelligence.
 Switch: The third major component which is used in the networking connectivity is called
by the name of the switch. It is just similar to the hub. Here, it forms the connection
between the multiple segments of the network. However, one major difference that exists
between hub and switch is that hubs do not possess any kind of filter. Thus, whatever
thing that hub receives over the network will be sent to all other computers. But, in
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comparison to this the switch will basically recognize the frame boundaries and give
attention to the MAC address of the incoming frames and on the basis of the given
address switch will send the file to the correct the address. However, if file send does not
possess any recognizable address then in the given situation it will be again sent to the
sender location. In addition to this, in many satiations switch will play the role like a hub.
For example, the location of the destination is not known then in the given situation
switch will react much like a hub and as a result of this it floods out the frame at each and
every port. However, except for the port over which it is being received. The switch is
more effective than the hub because it is able to give support to the full wire speed on
every port.
 Bridge: It is basically called by the name of the transparent bridge. It is being typed of a
network device that tends to connect the two similar segments of networks together. The
main role of the bridge is to keep the traffic separated from the different sides of the
bridge. From this, it can be said that the bridge is also function just like its name. Here,
information or the packets is being transmitted to the other side of the bridge if it is
intended for the station on the other side. In addition to this, it can also be said that the
main reason for using the bridge in the networking connectivity is to form the connection
between two segments and to divide the bust networks into two segments.
 Router: It is being regarded as the most popular term which is being used in the
networking connectivity. This connects multiple segments of the network in the
internetwork. In the networking, a router plays the role of the decision and maker and
thus it decides that how in best and possible manner network data can be sent to its
respective destination on the network. However, it is to be evaluated that the work of the
router is very complex in nature. Here, CPU is dedicated to the task of routing different
functions. Further, due to the complexity of router, it is possible for with regard to
performing the functions of other types of devices such as firewalls and gateways, etc
that is also involved in the network. This can be made possible by implementing the
features of the given devices in the software of the router.
 Gateway: It is the combination of the hardware and software that tends to connect the
dissimilar network environment. It is also being regarded as the most complex of the
network environment. This is due to the reason that gateway tends to perform translation
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of multiple layers of the OSI model in an effectual way. For instance, the gateway is the
type of device which connects the LAN environment to the mainframe environment.
These two environments are completely different from each other. LAN environment
complies with the distributed processing whereas the mainframe environment complies
with centralized processing.
Thus, we can say that networking connectivity comprises of these all main devices that
enable all the things working over the network. But, apart from this, there are other devices also
such as modem and wireless access points also that also have a very important role in the
network. Modem performs the function of modulation and demodulation and thus it converts
digital data into analog data and the vice versa. Apart from this, the wireless access network
gives the opportunity to the mobile user with regard to connecting themselves over the network
with the help of wireless devices. It is also similar to hub and switch but it connects multiple
wireless devices to form the network.
MANNER IN WHICH NETWORKING CONNECTIVITY WORKS
In the earlier part, we have improved the knowledge about the major components of the
networking connectivity. Hence, in this section discussion is being carried out in relation to the
overall process of the computer network. Thus, here the answer is given to the question that is
“How networking connectivity works?”.
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The diagram which is being depicted above simply defines the whole process which is
being carried out on the computer network in an effectual manner. The whole process begins
with the internet. The internet possesses lots and lots of information that are being shared
between people via mediums like the mobile phone and computer etc. The computers that are
present in the network tend to have a connection to the network. If one computer sends some
information in this situation the information is being received by all the computers that are
present in the network. However, each computer in the network will have different MAC address
that distinguishes themselves from each other. For example, person A has transferred some file
to B over the internet. Then in the given situation, the file sent by A will give an address which is
called by the name of MAC.
After the given phase, the data sent will be transferred over the internet. In this phase, the
role of router comes. The main function of a router is to route the specific data packets into the
particular location as per their MAC address. From this, it can be said that for computer network
router plays the function like the human brain and thus it gives direction to the data packets.
However, after going through with the router phase the data which is being sent by the person A
will go to the switch. The main function of the switch is to further provide direction to the data
packets. Thus, it segregates the data as per the address which is being written over it. After the
function of switches accomplished the data is being sent to their specific destination and after the
packets clear the switch path then it will arrive at the network interface which is basically a card
that forms the interface between the network and the computer. After that packets are being
opened and information about the URL address is being taken. However, after this, the data
packet encounters the firewall. The main aim of the firewall is to restrict the access of virus and
other ineffective information over the internet. Once the data will clear the firewall step, then in
the given situation the data will transfer through LAN or the wireless network. Thus, it can be
said that it is the end of computer network process. Here, finally, the data packets will be sent to
the respective user. Here, the information which is being sent by A is being received by B. It is
the very simple way to improve the understanding regarding the whole computer networking
process.
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