Network Components By: Zach Przybilla CECS 5460 Fall 2015

Hubs One of the types of connection points for devices in a networked setting. Containing multiple ports, when packet arrives it is sent over the LAN, and anyone part of a given segment can see the packets. The ports share a common bandwidth, which can result in slower speeds. In 2015 although hubs can be found for cheaper than a switch, they are overall inferior to the switch. It used to be a price difference, but today this has become less of an issue. According to Amazon.com when searching for a network hub you will find mostly switches. This should indicate how switches have pretty much usurped the hubs role in a sense. You can find older products that are around $150. The premium for a product that is no longer produced in mass in comparison the preferred switch component. SwitchRouter Another type of connection point for devices in a networked setting. Containing multiple ports, when packet arrives it is sent over the LAN, it forwards packets between the proper segment. They support any protocol. Using switches created switched LANs. Switches are quite common, and although they share a similar role as a hub they outperform, and are the preferred component for the purpose of connecting devices because of their ability to move data to specific points, and their superior speeds. According to Amazon.com switches can come in as low as $9 for a 5 port 10/100Mbps switch. However multiple ports, and increased speeds like gigabit often can see this price meet or exceed $100+. A router is a devices that properly forwards data along networks. This is usually at least two networks. Most commonly this is a home’s LAN and an ISP’s WAN. Located at the gateway. An essential component in all networks. The router has been around and improved continually over the years. You will find a router in all modern networks. Be it a university, or the home. Using headers and tables for forwarding they determine paths that are optimal for information move from point A to B. Often a common router is bundled with the abilities of a switch, firewall, and wireless access point. As time moves on lots of the roles each devices has had in the past has been rolled into one. Routers often can serve as an all in one component. According to Amazon.com routers are as low at $16, but can range greatly depending on desired specifications, and often they can exceed +$200. It is important to note that a server or configured VM/computer/device can serve as a router if configured correctly. It does not need to be particular device like the common routers we see at home. Devic e WAN Router Modem

Bridg e A gateway can be software or hardware that serves as the front door to another network. Sometimes a router can be equipped with this role, more often then not in the home the modem serves this purpose. In enterprise networks servers or other large appliances may serve as the gateway. In homes as said before this comes in the form of a modem. Amazon.com prices on a modem as a gateway can vary. $80 is a price a consumer can expect for a good modem. In particular the Motorola Surfboards for instance or high performers. Modems/gateways can often be rented/leased from ISPs as well as low as $5 a month. This can vary from ISP to ISP. Gatewa y A bridge can be software or hardware that allows users from two different networks interact and send/receive information. Commonly you can find this is two users are isolated; one of a wireless network the other on a wired network. If they currently aren’t able to cross connect, a bridge can provide the means for the devices to network with each other. Amazon.com prices on bridge can vary. $44 seems to be the average price. These are often marketed it seems as an add on for Blu-Ray players or game consoles who don’t have WiFi built in. So the bridge serves as a Ethernet to Wireless adapter. LAN 1 LAN 2 Route r Devic e WAN

Firewa ll Wireless AP Router Firewall Devic e Internet Devic e A firewall is a device that is centered around security. It accepts or rejects network traffic. Most commonly this can be referred to from data that wants to move from something trusted to something untrusted. Firewalls can be software and hardware. Often routers will have a firewall built in, and an operating system will also have a firewall. Separate firewall appliances can also be found. Firewalls are critical in a modern environment, as security is a paramount concern from the home to the enterprise network. While firewalls can be found as a feature with home routers, and your operating systems. Appliances can be purchased from anywhere from $250 according to Amazon.com, or more. Often these devices are centered around firewall VPN protection which result in a product that ends up being more expensive. A wireless access point enables networks to accept devices connecting via WiFi instead of the traditional wired Ethernet based connection for example. Wireless can be found almost everywhere today. They are often found in the home built into a home router. However in enterprise network wireless access point can be deployed and scattered across a campus. They essentially become only points of connecting and do not serve the function of a router. This is in contrast to the home. Most routers can be configured to be a wireless access point, so this would reflect the same cost as a common wireless router, and as state in a previous slide, Amazon.com as these as low as $16. However, in an enterprise setting, wireless APs can often come in at $400 a piece. This is an example price of a Cisco Aironet. Enterprise APs often have additional features, that can include improved WiFi management, wireless interference detection, equipped to handle a high volume of users, and have better area coverage as an example. Router Devic e

Full Diagram Route r Firewall Devic e Interne t Devic e Gateway / Modem Devic e Bridg e LAN 2 LAN 1 Wireless AP Switc h