Router

Introduction

From the view point of networking, Routers is more intelligent, sensitive

protocol linking small device which is especially used to link separate network and

provide access of internet to the users. Similarly, Due to its capability of working at the

layer 3 of OSI Layer it is more complicated than any other exiting networking devices.

Specially routers can be a hardware, software or both which can connect two different

networks such as (a) Ethernet to Ethernet , (b) token ring to Ethernet, (c) MAN to WAN.

Advantages:

We know routers works at the third layer of OSI Model it is basically used

for communication which include the internet. Likewise, Routers find the shortest and the

easiest path to transfer the data, information between the different sending and receiving

computers without any disturbance. During the addressing of the data routers uses the IP

Addressing for accessing and also for forwarding the data in the one hand. On the other

hand, routers manage or provide the alternative solution for the broadcast problems as it

break the networks into many broadcast domain.

Disadvantages:

Leaving the advantages of the routers there we can find some

disadvantages also. Typically in case of performance speed, system cost, and working

protocol. In case of static routing the users of the networks administrator must update the

routing table manually but this is automatically update during the data transfer process

between different computers in dynamic routing. Similarly as compare to the price of the

routers it is more expensive than other networking devices.

Function:

Some of the function of routers is listed below:

 Removal of corrupt packets or data

 Interconnection between different networks architectures, physical

media etc.
 Provide a suitable path for packets transfer

 Performs complex mathematical calculations

Conclusion:

Apart from the advantage and disadvantage of the routers we came to the

conclusion that it is able to reduce the traffic in the network by avoiding corrupt data &

transferring data to the destination through the suitable path.

Switch:
Introduction:

The foundation of the communication link between the two different nodes

is noticed as switching. And the device which is used is known as switching & the

system is called switching system. The work at the data link layer of OSI model.

Typically, the switches are made to solve the problems regarding the bandwidth &

collision in the networks. With the help of ASICs they make their switching decision

in hardware.

Reasons and Function:

During the process of switching the frame in hardware, the switch may

utilize multiple methods of switching which supports half-duplex or full-duplex

connection with hundreds of ports. The main function is to switch the frame very fast.

Advantages:

Besides solving the collision & the bandwidth problems switch is able to

perform the full-duplex at all the ports & established the dedicated connection within

a routers, PC or the server. Similarly a switch can frame very fast up to the speed of

50,000 per second where we can create a dedication for special ports i.e.,

simultaneous or multiple session transmission between the ports.

Disadvantages:

As we already know switch play a vital switching role in the hardware with

the help of application specific integrated circuits(ASICs) which is a very especial

processor designed to perform a very few specific task. Hence ASICs are very

expensive or costly as compare to the normal processor. The cut-through switching is

only usable if the vendor has included it in its switching product

Conclusion:

Finally, switch is similar to bridge but in facts there is a huge difference

between them. Generally switch switches the frame very fast & tries to control the

problems of collision & bandwidth. Hence by implementing the entire three methods

(cut-through, fragment-free & store and forward) switch is able to switch the frame at

a rate of 50,000 & more per seconds.

Repeaters:
Introduction:

Another mostly used network connecting device is repeater. In the OSI

layer, repeater work at the first physical layer. It is a low-level device of

transparent nature it cannot distinguish between the data and noise. When there is

noise in the process of communication it amplifies with the data. So repeater is a

signal amplifier used to amplify the low signal to high signals.

Advantages:

At the physical layer where the repeaters allow the users to extend the

physical length of networks. That is to say repeaters expand the network over the

large distance by using remote repeaters. Also a repeater can link the various

Ethernet segments of any media type and it is capable of amplifying the signals

before the signals became weak.

Disadvantages:

Working in the physical layer they are not able to known the type of date

transferring, different

Address and protocol used so they are called unintelligent electronic device that

cannot filter and

Translate the information or message. Next the location of repeaters also plays a

huge role because

Noise can alter the data and initial data becomes unrecoverable. But the number

of repeaters used

Must be least in order to avoid the propagation delay. Hence network

architectures maintain the

Limited repeaters in their network. And the other disadvantage of repeaters is that

it cannot connect

The network of two different architecture such as Token ring and Ethernet etc.

Functions:

The major function of repeaters is as listed below:

 It amplifies the signals without impacting the speed of the networks.

 Network administrator can expand the network into large distance with the help of

repeater.

 Concerning the location of repeaters used the signals can be refreshed back

without any noise and delay.

Conclusion:

Finally, repeaters are an unintelligent connecting device which operates in

the physical layer and contribute to amplifying the data before the signals became weak

transmission media for networks.

1)      Coaxial Cable

 This type was popular for several early networks.

 Today, coaxial cable is still used for television connections.
 The cable is consisted a single copper wire and covered by at least three
layers including insulting material, woven metal, and plastic coating.
 It is the big and thick cable; therefore, it is appropriate for a long distance as
well as resist to interferences.
 However, coaxial cable is not fast for transmitting data as other media
because it has only one single copper wire.
2)      Twisted-pair Cable
  This type is more popular among modern network because it is faster as
well as easier to settle than coaxial cable.
 The insulated copper wires will be twisted in pairs and coated by plastics.
 Twisted-pair cable is commonly used for a LAN transmission medium and
usually used for telephone transmission.
3)      Fiber-optic Cable

 This type of cable is consisted of glass fibers in the layers of glass cladding
and a protective outer jacket.
 It is able to carry voice, video and data transmissions for a long distance.
 Because of its capacity and reliability, this type of transmission medium is
popular high-speed long-distance transmission.
 Fiber-optic cable can be the alternative transmission for MANs and Wans,
but it is too expensive for a small LAN.