Even a basic knowledge of networking is a major asset in today's world. Even if you don't want to get into the details of the subject, the ability to connect your computer to other computers, a router or a peripheral will save you a lot of headaches. It is also a good idea to have a basic knowledge of the equipment you need and what it does. In this article we look at the basic building blocks of a computer network and explain what the various pieces of hardware do.
Of course, any network will need at computers. If you are very new to the subject a good first lesson would be to attempt to connect two computers either by ethernet cable or wirelessly so that they can share information. If you can do this, you have created your first network.
However, when you add more computers, printers, scanners and other peripherals, as well as an internet connection, things get a lot more complicated. The average home network will have most or all of these components and business networks get infinitely more complex. So, here is a basic overview of the hardware needed to build a network.
Cable or wireless?
The most basic requirement of any network is that the various components are connected to each other. Here, there are two choices. Cable or wireless. Ethernet cable remains the fastest of the two and remains an important building block of most networks, especially large business network where high data transfer speeds are essential.
That said, the next generation of wireless is set to close the gap on ethernet cable in terms of speed, and offer a much greater range. Already, wireless is favored in smaller networks because it spares the expense and the mess of ethernet cables, and is easier and cheaper to maintain.
Modems
Although networks can exist without being connected to the internet, it is rare in today's world. And for a network to connect to the internet a modem is required. Most modern home or small business networks will use a cable/ADSL modem. These usually provide speeds of up to 10 Mbps by ethernet. However, in reality, very few internet service providers can provide a connection that even comes close to this speed. Ethernet modems are the norm these days, although USB modems do exist and dial-up modems are still used, though rarely for networks.
Routers
A router is essential for all networks as it provides the connection between the Local Area Network (LAN), which is the home or small business network, and the Wide Area Network (WAN), usually the internet. A lot of home network will use a combined modem, router and switch which will allow the network to connect to the internet and allow any computers and peripherals on the network to communicate with each other. In very large business networks the router (or sometimes a gateway is used) and switch will be individual hardware devices.
Switches and hubs
There is often a lot of confusion about the difference between switches and hubs. Both allow computers and devices within a network to communicate with each other, but there are some significant differences between them. Of the two, switches are by far the better, and more expensive, option. Switches are essential for larger networks because they make the transfer of information much more efficient.
When a switch receives data from a computer or peripheral it can determine which device/s on the network on the network the data is intended for, and will only send it to its intended destination. This will not be noticed on a small home network but can make a big difference on larger networks.
A hub is a simpler device that can connect anywhere between four and 24 devices. The data will pass through the hub but it the hub will not interfere with the data in any way. Therefore, data sent through a hub will be sent to, and can be accessed by, all devices on a network.
Firewalls
Hardware firewall devices are not really necessary for home networks. The firewall software on your individual computers' operating systems' firewalls, and the security options provided by your router, should be more than enough to protect your network.
However, for business networks that are storing large amounts of sensitive information a good hardware firewall is essential. All information from outside the network must pass through this before reaching the network's main switch. If properly configured by a network professional this should provide all the security a business needs. Further software firewall protection within the network is also an option to secure the network further.
To set the record straight, it's time to debunk some of the commonly heard myths about refurbished Cisco equipment.
Myth #1 - The Secondary Market = The Gray Market In reality, the two markets should not be painted with the same brush. In fact, most reputable sellers of refurbished Cisco equipment have more stringent practices in place to detect black market or counterfeit goods than most OEMs and VARs/distributors. Product packaging is not a reliable way to judge authenticity, which is why the best used Cisco marketers conduct extensive tests on all used Cisco equipment resold to prove legitimacy. In addition to setting high standards, top providers in the used Cisco market are working closely with law enforcement to eradicate the counterfeit equipment problem.
Myth #2 - Used Equipment is Abused Equipment Reputable marketers of used Cisco equipment do not sell their goods "as is." All offerings are fully refurbished to ensure they are as close to original condition and performance as possible. Buyers should only deal with used Cisco equipment sources that have a proven track record for longevity, financial stability and outstanding business practices.
Myth #3 - The Equipment You Need is only Available New More used Cisco equipment is available than ever before. Top providers in the secondary market maintain extensive inventories of the most popular networking equipment. This means the vast majority of requests can be filled on the spot. If not, these used Cisco providers have extensive contacts, enabling them to fulfill requests within days. In contrast, it often takes weeks or months to secure new equipment from manufacturers.
Myth #4 - Third-Party Components = Inferior Products A third-party component is not necessarily an inferior replacement. For example, Cisco buys its memory from NEC, Samsung and other "third parties" rather than manufacture those products. The memory does not carry a Cisco logo, even when they resell it, so identical items are available directly from the memory manufacturer. Purchasing accessories like memory directly from the "third party" source may reduce costs as much as 80 percent. A knowledgeable used Cisco market provider helps identify these savings opportunities while ensuring all "third party" components are, in fact, high-quality equipment.
Myth #5 - Used Cisco Equipment Comes With No Warranty In 2004, NHR introduced the industry's first standard, one-year overnight replacement warranty on every used Cisco equipment purchase. Since then, many other players in the used Cisco market have followed suit, surpassing the warranties offered by many OEMs.
Myth #6 - Technical Support is Not Available Leading suppliers of used Cisco equipment offer both pre- and post-sale technical support from certified technicians. In most cases, these experts test up to 100 pieces of used Cisco networking gear each day, giving them more real-world experience than even most OEM technicians.
Clearly, it's time to dispel the myths and forge past the FUD about the used Cisco market to view this growing segment as a viable and reliable alternate source of networking equipment.
Both Susan Banks Sr & Y. Black are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Susan Banks Sr has sinced written about articles on various topics from Vegetarian Diet, Modelling and Home Security. Susan is a monthly contributing writer to Fuzing.com where you will discover hundreds of thousands of for. Susan Banks Sr's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.
Y. Black has sinced written about articles on various topics from Trucks, Watches Reviews and Home Management. Y. Black is a freelance writer who likes to write about from the business angle, such as the benefits of purchasing. Y. Black's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.