NETWORKING DEVICES
CONTENTS
Network Segments
NICs
Repeaters
Hubs
Bridges
Switches
Routers
Gateways
OSI MODEL
NODE A NODE B
Sending Device Receiving Device
Layer 7 Supports the communication between Layer 7
Application Layer applications over the network Application Layer
Layer 6 Presents data to the receiver Layer 6
Presentation Layer in a form it recognises Presentation Layer
Layer 5 Establishes a connection and Layer 5
Session Layer terminates it when no longer required Session Layer
Layer 4 Acknowledges the flow of data Layer 4
Transport Layer including re-transmission where required Transport Layer
Layer 3 Adds the appropriate network Layer 3
Network Layer addresses to packets Network Layer
Layer 2 Adds the MAC addresses to packets Layer 2
Data Link Layer Data Link Layer
Layer 1 Transmits the data on the medium Layer 1
Physical Layer Physical Layer
NETWORK SEGMENTS
Usually an area of a LAN
“The area of the network bound by bridges or switches
where collisions are propagated, or the area bound by
a router to prevent the propagation of broadcasts”
Dividing a network in to segments allows the majority
of traffic to stay remain local
NETWORK SEGMENTS
Switch
Hub
Hub
Hub
Segment 1
Segment 3
Segment 2
NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)
At source:
Receives the data packet from the Network Layer
Attaches its the MAC address to the data packet
Attaches the MAC address of the destination device
to the data packet
Converts data in to packets suitable for the particular
network (Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI)
Converts packets in to electrical, light or radio
signals
Provides the physical connection to the media
MAC ADDRESS
Media Access Control address, a hardware address that
uniquely identifies each node of a network.
The Data Link Control (DLC) layer of the OSI
Reference Model is divided into two sublayers: the
Logical Link Control (LLC) layer and the Media
Access Control (MAC) layer.
The MAC layer interfaces directly with the network
medium. Consequently, each different type of network
medium requires a different MAC layer.
NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)
As a destination device
Provides the physical connection to the media
Translates the signal in to data
Reads the MAC address to see if it matches its own
address
If it does match, passes the data to the Network
Layer
REPEATER
Allows the connection of segments, therefore extends the
network beyond the maximum length of a single segment
Functions at the Physical Layer of the OSI model
Connects segments of the same network, even if they use
different media
Has three basic functions
Receives a signal and cleans it
Re-times the signal to avoid collisions
Transmits the signal on to the next segment
Advantages & Disadvantages:
Repeater
Advantages –
Can connect different types of media,
Can extend a network in terms of distance,
Does not increase network traffic
Disadvantages –
Extends the collision domain,
Can not filter data,
Can not connect different network architectures,
Limited number only can be used in network
Advantages & Disadvantages:
Repeater
Advantages –
Can connect different types of media,
Can extend a network in terms of distance,
Does not increase network traffic
Disadvantages –
Extends the collision domain,
Can not filter data,
Can not connect different network architectures,
Limited number only can be used in network
HUB
A central point of a star topology
Allows the multiple connection of devices
Can be more than a basic Hub – providing additional
services (Managed Hubs, Switched Hubs, Intelligent
Hubs)
In reality a Hub is a Repeater with multiple ports
Functions in a similar manner to a Repeater
HUB
Works at the Physical Layer of the OSI model
Passes data no matter which device it is addressed to
How to work HUB
Advantages & Disadvantages:
Hub
Advantages –
Cheap,
Can connect different media types
Disadvantages –
Extends the collision domain,
Can not filter information,
Passes packets to all connected segments
BRIDGE
Like a Repeater or Hub it connects segments
Works at Data Layer – not Physical
Uses MAC address to make decisions
Acts as a ’filter’, by determining whether or not to
forward a packet on to another segment
BRIDGE
Builds a Bridging Table, keeps track of devices on each
segment
Filters packets, does not forward them, by examining
their MAC address
It forwards packets whose destination address is on a
different segment from its own
It divides a network in to multiple collision domains –
so reducing the number of collisions
Advantages & Disadvantages:
Bridge
Advantages –
Limits the collision domain,
Can extend network distances,
Uses MAC address to filter traffic,
Eases congestion,
Can connect different types of media,
Some can connect differing architectures
Disadvantages –
Broadcast packets can not be filtered,
More expensive than a repeater,
Slower than a repeater – due to additional processing of
packets
COLLISION DOMAIN
A collision occurs when a station begins transmission
and then receives the beginning of a frame from another
station.
The station will immediately stop transmission and
issue a JAM signal onto the wire.
This will indicate to the other transmitting station that a
collision has occurred and both stations will back off
for a random amount of time and try to re-transmit
COLLISION DOMAIN
Collision Domain is defined as all the segments
between a pair of bridges or other layer 2 devices.
The reason for this is that all traffic must appear on all
the cables between bridges.
Thus if a frame is transmitted from a station on a
concentrator, all the stations on that concentrator will
see the frame at nearly the same time.
BRIDGE
• Uses the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) – to decide whether to
pass a packet on to a different network segment
Bridge
A Transmits to Segment A Segment B G Transmits to
C, bridge will B, bridge will
not pass it to pass it to
Segment B Segment A
A D E H
B C F G
Collisions
SWITCH
A multiport Bridge, functioning at the Data
Link Layer
Each port of the bridge decides whether to
forward data packets to the attached network
Keeps track of the MAC addresses of all
attached devices (just like a bridge)
Acts like a Hub, but filters like a Bridge
How to work Switch
Advantages & Disadvantages:
Switch
Advantages –
Limits the collision domain,
Can provide bridging,
Can be configured to limit broadcast domain
Disadvantages –
More expensive than a hub or bridge,
Configuration of additional functions can be very complex
ROUTER
Works at Network Layer.
Can connect different network segments, if they are in the same
building or even on the opposite side of the globe
Work in LAN, MAN and WAN environments
Allows access to resources by selecting the best path
Can interconnect different networks – Ethernet with Token Ring
Changes packet size and format to match the requirements of the
destination network
ROUTER
Two primary functions – to determine the ‘best path’
and to share details of routes with other routers
Routing Table – a database which keeps track of the
routes to networks and the associated costs
ROUTER
Static Routing – routes are manually configured by a
network administrator
Dynamic Routing – adjust automatically to changes in
network topology, and information it receives from
other routers
Routing Protocol – uses a special algorithm to route
data across a network.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Router
Advantages –
Limits the collision domain,
Can function in LAN or WAN,
Connects differing media and architectures,
Can determine best path/route,
Can filter broadcasts
Disadvantages –
Expensive,
Must use routable protocols,
Can be difficult to configure (static routing),
Slower than a bridge
Advantages & Disadvantages
Router
Advantages –
Limits the collision domain,
Can function in LAN or WAN,
Connects differing media and architectures,
Can determine best path/route,
Can filter broadcasts
Disadvantages –
Expensive,
Must use routable protocols,
Can be difficult to configure (static routing),
Slower than a bridge
GATEWAY
Allows different networks to communicate by offering
a translation service from one protocol stack to
another
They work at all levels of the OSI model – due to the
type of translation service they are providing
GATEWAY
Address Gateway – connects networks using the same
protocol, but using different directory spaces such as
Message Handling Service
Protocol Gateway – connects network using different
protocols. Translates source protocol so destination can
understand it
Application Gateway – translates between applications
such as from an Internet email server to a messaging
server
