Assignment 3: Networking Components LTEC 4550 Jose L Ortiz Jr.

A hub is a device that allows computers on the same network to communicate with one another. It does not have the ability to identify individual computers so it broadcasts each message to every computer on the network. The network hub can be used in any small office or home network to provide internet accessibility to multiple computers. The cost of a network hub ranges between $10.00 to $20.00.

A switch is a device that allows computers on the same network to communicate with one another. Unlike the hub, a switch keeps track of the addresses for each individual machine and directs traffic directly to the intended recipient. This makes them much faster than hubs. The network switch can be used in any small office, home network or even a large corporation. Multiple switches can be used to help alleviate network congestion. They have the ability to provide internet accessibility to multiple computers. The cost of a network switch ranges between $ to $

A router is a device that allows computers on the same network to communicate with one another but it also relays information to other networks. Newer routers provide both wired and wireless connectivity to multiple devices. Routers are used a single accesses for multiple devices to connect to the internet. The network router can be used in any small office, home network or even a large corporation which can use several routers at once. They can also be used in conjunction with switches to provide more load balancing. The cost of a network router ranges between $ to $

A bridge is a device that allows two networks to connect whereas a router simply examines a packet and forwards it to the next hop. A bridge essentially connects two LANs either wirelessly or through network cabling. The location of the two LANs can be in the same building or even on the other side of the city. The bridge is typically used in a large corporation which can use several bridges at once. They can also be used in conjunction with switches and routers to provide more data transfer. The cost of a network bridge ranges between $ to $

A gateway is a device that allows a LAN to connect to a WAN or to an ISP. It sits on the edge of a private network connects it to the outside networks. A stand alone gateway is rare currently as the gateway is typically incorporated logically into routers. The gateway can be used anywhere that there is a need to connect a private network to the internet. They can be used to monitor information being received or sent from the network. The cost of a network gateway ranges between $ to $

A firewall can be either a device or software that allows certain traffic into a network while rejecting others. It is a security tool used to insure that untrusted data does not reach hosts on the network. Many times this is logically located on a router that is acting like a gateway or on a stand alone firewall device. A firewall is typically used in a large corporation in a stand alone device but most have it incorporated in a router. It can be connected to directly by a computer to manage the rules used to govern the traffic. The cost of a network hub ranges between $ to $

A wireless access point is a device that relays the wireless signal to allow hosts to connect to a wired only router/switch/hub. It can also be used to relay a signal and allow connectivity from outside a wireless routers range. It allows multiple devices to connect to it and can be secured requiring a password to connect to the wireless AP. The wireless AP is typically used in a large corporation or stores providing free wireless internet to their customers.. The cost of a network hub ranges between $ to $1,