networking hardware

Networking devices includes a broad range of equipment which can be classified as core network components which interconnect other network components, hybrid components which can be found in the core or border of a network and hardware or software components which typically sit on the connection point of different networks.{{Cite web|url=https://blog.netwrix.com/network-devices-explained|title=Common Types of Network Devices & Their Functions}}

One of the most common types of networking hardware today is a copper-based Ethernet adapter which is a standard inclusion on most modern computer systems. Wireless networking has become increasingly popular, especially for portable and handheld devices.{{Cite web|url=https://www.silicom-usa.com/pr/server-adapters/networking-adapters/gigabit-ethernet-networking-server-adapters/pe2g4i35l-server-adapter/|title=Silicom Ltd. | PE2G4I35L Quad port Copper 1G Network Interface Card}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/understanding-common-wifi-standards-technology-explained/|title=The Most Common Wi-Fi Standards and Types, Explained|first=Gavin|last=Phillips|date=March 13, 2019|website=MUO}}

Other networking hardware used in computers includes data center equipment (such as file servers, database servers and storage areas), network services (such as DNS, DHCP, email, etc.) as well as devices which assure content delivery.{{Cite web|url=https://encoradvisors.com/data-center-equipment/|title=Data Center Equipment - The Complete Guide [2024]|first=Jeff|last=Howell|date=October 23, 2024}}

Taking a wider view, mobile phones, tablet computers and devices associated with the internet of things may also be considered networking hardware. As technology advances and IP-based networks are integrated into building infrastructure and household utilities, network hardware will become an ambiguous term owing to the vastly increasing number of network-capable endpoints.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfwireless-world.com/Articles/gsm-mobile-phone-basics.html|title=Mobile Hardware and Software:Key Parts,Components,Functions|website=www.rfwireless-world.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://eitc.org/research-opportunities/future-internet-and-optical-quantum-communications/internet-networks-and-tcp-ip/internet-infrastructure/networking-hardware/networking-hardware|title=Networking Hardware — EITC|website=eitc.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://builtin.com/articles/iot-devices|title=24 IoT Devices Connecting the World|website=Built In}}

Network hardware can be classified by its location and role in the network.

Core network components interconnect other network components.

• Gateway: an interface providing a compatibility between networks by converting transmission speeds, protocols, codes, or security measures.{{Cite web|title = ATIS Telecom Glossary|url = https://glossary.atis.org/glossary/gateway-gw/?search=gateway&page_number=1&sort=ASC|website = www.atis.org|access-date = 2021-06-20}}
• Router: a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform the "traffic directing" functions on the Internet. A data packet is typically forwarded from one router to another through the networks that constitute the internetwork until it reaches its destination node.{{Cite web|title = The TCP/IP Guide - Overview Of Key Routing Protocol Concepts: Architectures, Protocol Types, Algorithms and Metrics|url = http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_OverviewOfKeyRoutingProtocolConceptsArchitecturesP.htm|website = www.tcpipguide.com|access-date = 2016-02-12}} It works on OSI layer 3.{{Cite web|title=ATIS Telecom Glossary|url=https://glossary.atis.org/glossary/router/?search=router&page_number=&sort=ASC|website=www.atis.org}}
• Switch: a multi-port device that connects devices together at the same or different speeds on a computer network, by using packet switching to receive, process and forward data to the destination device. Unlike less advanced network hubs, a network switch forwards data only to one or multiple devices that need to receive it, rather than broadcasting the same data out of each of its ports.{{cite web|url = http://www.ccontrols.com/pdf/Extv3n3.pdf|title = Hubs Versus Switches – Understand the tradeoffs|year = 2002|access-date = 2013-12-10|website=ccontrols.com}} It works on OSI layer 2.
• Bridge: a device that connects multiple network segments. It works on OSI layers 1 and 2.{{Cite web|title = Definitions of Managed Objects for Bridges|url = https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1286|website = tools.ietf.org|access-date = 2016-02-12|first1 = Decker|last1 = E.|first2 = Rijsinghani|last2 = A.|first3 = McCloghrie|last3 = K.|first4 = Langille|last4 = P.| date=December 1991 }}
• Repeater: an electronic device that receives a signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, or onto the other side of an obstruction, so that the signal can cover longer distances.{{Cite web|title=ATIS Telecom Glossary|url=https://glossary.atis.org/glossary/repeater/?search=repeater&page_number=2&sort=ASC|access-date=2021-06-20|website=www.atis.org}}
• Repeater hub: for connecting multiple Ethernet devices together at the same speed, making them act as a single network segment. It has multiple input/output (I/O) ports, in which a signal introduced at the input of any port appears at the output of every port except the original incoming. A hub works at the physical layer (layer 1) of the OSI model{{cite book | last = Dean | first = Tamara | title = Network+ Guide to Networks | publisher = Delmar | year = 2010 | pages = 256–257}} and all devices form a single collision domain. Repeater hubs also participate in collision detection, forwarding a jam signal to all ports if they detect a collision. Hubs are now largely obsolete, having been replaced by network switches except in very old installations or specialized applications.
• Wireless access point
• Structured cabling

Hybrid components can be found in the core or border of a network.

• Multilayer switch: a switch that, in addition to switching on OSI layer 2, provides functionality at higher protocol layers.
• Protocol converter: a hardware device that converts between two different types of transmission, for interoperation.{{Cite web|title=ATIS Telecom Glossary|url=https://glossary.atis.org/glossary/protocol-converter/?search=protocol%20converter&page_number=&sort=ASC|access-date=2021-06-20|website=www.atis.org}}
• Bridge router (brouter): a device that works as a bridge and as a router. The brouter routes packets for known protocols and simply forwards all other packets as a bridge would.{{Cite web|title = bridge router Definition from PC Magazine Encyclopedia|url = https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/38924/bridge-router|website = www.pcmag.com|access-date = 2016-02-12}}

Hardware or software components which typically sit on the connection point of different networks (for example, between an internal network and an external network) include:

• Proxy server: computer network service which allows clients to make indirect network connections to other network services.{{Cite web|title=ATIS Telecom Glossary|url=https://glossary.atis.org/glossary/proxy-server/?search=proxy%20server&page_number=&sort=ASC|access-date=2021-06-20|website=www.atis.org}}
• Firewall: a piece of hardware or software put on the network to prevent some communications forbidden by the network policy.{{Cite web|title=ATIS Telecom Glossary|url=https://glossary.atis.org/glossary/firewall/?search=firewall&page_number=&sort=ASC|access-date=2021-06-20|website=www.atis.org}} A firewall typically establishes a barrier between a trusted, secure internal network and another outside network, such as the Internet, that is assumed to not be secure or trusted.{{cite journal|last=Oppliger|first=Rolf|title=Internet Security: FIREWALLS and BEYOND|journal=Communications of the ACM|date=May 1997|volume=40|issue=5|page=94|doi=10.1145/253769.253802|s2cid=15271915 |doi-access=free}}
• Network address translator (NAT): network service (provided as hardware or as software) that converts internal to external network addresses and vice versa.{{Cite web|title=ATIS Telecom Glossary|url=https://glossary.atis.org/glossary/network-address-translator-nat/?search=network%20address%20translator&page_number=&sort=ASC|access-date=2021-06-20|website=www.atis.org}}
• Residential gateway: interface between a WAN connection to an Internet service provider and the home network.
• Terminal server: connects devices with a serial port to a local area network.

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Other hardware devices used for establishing networks or dial-up connections include:

• Network interface controller (NIC): a device connecting a computer to a computer network.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itamg.com/it-asset/hardware/nic/|title=What is a Network interface card (NIC): Types, Components, Classification|date=October 12, 2024}}
• Wireless network interface controller: a device connecting the attached computer to a radio-based computer network.{{Cite web|url=https://wise-answer.com/which-device-allows-computers-to-connect-to-a-network-via-radio-waves/|title=Which device allows computers to connect to a network via radio waves? – Wise-Answer|website=wise-answer.com}}
• Modem: device that modulates an analog "carrier" signal (such as sound) to encode digital information, and that also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. Used (for example) when a computer communicates with another computer over a telephone network.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellotech.com/blog/what-is-a-modem-what-does-it-do|title=What Is a Modem? A Guide for Beginners|first=The|last=Plug|date=September 24, 2020|website=The Plug - HelloTech}}
• ISDN terminal adapter (TA): a specialized gateway for ISDN.{{Cite web|url=https://networkencyclopedia.com/isdn-terminal-adapter/|title=ISDN Terminal Adapter|first=Editorial|last=Team|date=September 4, 2019|website=NETWORK ENCYCLOPEDIA}}
• Line driver: a device to increase transmission distance by amplifying the signal; used in base-band networks only.{{Cite web|url=https://networkencyclopedia.com/line-driver/|title=Line Driver|first=Editorial|last=Team|date=August 23, 2019|website=NETWORK ENCYCLOPEDIA}}

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• Computer hardware
• Data circuit-terminating equipment
• List of networking hardware vendors
• Network simulation
• Node (networking)
• Telecommunications equipment

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{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Network hardware}}

• [http://fcit.usf.edu/network/chap3/chap3.htm USF Explanation of network hardware]

{{Computer science}}

{{Electronic systems}}

Category:Computer networking