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    NETWORK DEVICES

                      There are various devices used in a network. These include:
                          Network Interface Card (NIC): A device attached to a computer
                         that enables communication over a network. The NIC contains a
                         ROM chip  that  has a  unique  number  called  the  Media Access
                         Control (MAC) address, identifies the computer on the network.

                                            Modem: A device that allows computers and other devices to connect to
                                           the internet. It converts digital data into analog signals for transmission over
                                           telephone lines and vice versa.

                            Hub: A device that joins multiple computers to form a single network
                          segment. It forwards data to all connected computers.

                                                         Switch: A device that connects multiple computers within a Local
                                                       Area Network (LAN). It manages data traffic to ensure that data
                                                       reaches  only  the  intended  destination.  Unlike  a  hub,  a  switch
                                                       forwards data only to the target device.

                          Router: A device  that connects  different networks and directs  data
                         packets between them based on their IP addresses.

                                        Network repeater: A device that boosts incoming electrical, wireless or optical
                                       signals. It amplifies signals to prevent them from becoming too weak or corrupted
                                       during transmission.

                           Gateway: A device that connects dissimilar networks those using different
                         protocols. A gateway takes data from one system, interprets it and
                         transfers it to another system.

                                                     Bridge: A device that connects similar networks, usually LANs using
                                                   the same hardware  and protocols.  It reduces  the traffic on other
                                                   network segments as it filters the data based on the MAC addresses
                                                   of the source and destination before forwarding it.

                                        Imagine  computer  networks as highways in the sky. What kinds of vehicles would
                                        travel on these highways and what destinations would they reach?

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