Can we think about a world without computer networks? Not. Computer networks play a crucial role in communication, data transfer, and a lot more. What is a computer network? Most of us will know. But at any point have you ever considered what are the components of computer network? luckily we have and will explain all that in this article.
A Look At The Components of Computer Networking
Before finding out what are the different components of a computer network, there are some things you must know about. Computer networks consist of both hardware and software components in IT infrastructure to achieve their intended function. The hardware is usually the physically moving or tangible parts whereas the operating system and protocols are the software components.
For a computer network to successfully work, both hardware and software must work in tandem. Take any computer network, its primary components consist of network interface cards (NICs), hubs, switches, routers, servers, modems, bridges, and repeaters. Now that you know the components on the inside, let’s dive more into these computer network components functions in the next section.
The 8 Computer Network Components
Understanding what are the different components of a computer network is crucial when it comes to identifying potential problems and improving them in the long term. However, rather than just knowing the names, learning the essential details about computer network components functions is important. Let’s examine each of these:
Server
Have you wondered how you can watch your videos on YouTube? They are hosted on a computer network by powerful components of computer networking called servers. They are used for storing large amounts of data, providing hosting capabilities, and handling multiple requests from other components connected to the network. There are different types of servers, some of which include web servers, mail servers, database servers, etc.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
Also known as a network adapter or network interface controller, NICs are one of the most important parts of establishing a computer network and communicating with other devices on a network. They are usually available in wired and wireless variants and can support a wide range of network protocols such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
Switches
Do you have multiple devices with you and want to connect them all together? Make it happen with switches. This platform allows many devices to be connected in a network and data is transferred only to the intended recipient. This minimizes network congestion, thereby making it viable for implementation in large networks.
Routers
This is a networking layer device that connects multiple networks and facilitates effective communication. Routers typically use IP addresses to forward data packets between connected networks and their benefits include increased security, enhanced network performance, and scalability.
Hub
A hub allows the connection of multiple devices in a network and enables communication with each other. Data from one packet is received by the hub and is transmitted to all connected devices. What’s more, they are generally classified into three types which are passive hubs, active hubs, and intelligent hubs.
Repeater
A repeater is one of the essential components of computer networking used to regenerate and amplify signals. When data is transmitted in a network over a large distance, this results in the signal getting weak. This repeater receives this signal, regenerates, it, and transfers it without quality loss. Repeaters are generally classified into analog and digital types.
Bridge
If you are looking to connect two or more network segments, a bridge is what you need. Being one of the vital components of computer networking, a bridge examines the information received from the first network segment upon which the MAC is addressed and uses it to forward data packets to the second network segment
Modem
A modulator-demodulator or modem is a networking device that connects computers to the Internet through a service provider network. It works by converting the computer’s digital data signals to analog which is transmitted over a telephone line or cable. Once it reaches the other end, the modem present there converts the analog signal into digital to the computer.
So, these are the 8 computer network components that every network in existence consists of.
Winding up
By now you must have learned about computer networks, the hardware and software components inside them and how they enable effective communication. If you still have trouble understanding what are the different components of a computer network even after reading the above section, it is recommended to consult a renowned IT infrastructure solution company in Dubai for your answer.