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Networking Components

List of common network components

  • DSL Modem- converts digital signals into analogue signals
    suitable for sending over a telephone line.
  • DSL/Broadband Filter- Used to filter out DSL signals from
    telephone signals so that you can access the internet and use the
    telephone simultaneously.
  • Firewall -functions like a router and generally what you use
    is firewall/NAT router combination in which a single device acts
    as a NAT router and firewall. With a firewall you have an extra
    level of control as you can also control what device/computers are
    allowed to connect to the Internet and what applications are
    allowed to connect as well
  • Hub - Connects two or more computers together being replace
    today by the switch.
  • ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)- Allows you to share an
    Internet connection with other computers on a Local/home Network.
    It requires that one computer be designated as the sharing
    computer (the computer with the Internet connection). This
    computer functions effectively as a NAT Router and must be left
    switched on for the other computers to access the Internet.
  • NAT Router - In home/SOHO networks (as opposed to large corporation networks) the router uses NAT (Network Address Translation). NAT effectively isolates your home network from the Internet in
    a backwards direction. See Internet security for more details.
  • Switch- Connects two or more computers together used today in
    preference to a hub
  • Wireless Access Point-Connects wireless devices to an Ethernet
    network and to each other. Effectively does the same job as a
    hub/switch but for wireless devices. See
    Wireless Internet
  • Wireless Router- Connects wireless devices to each other
    and the Internet. Wireless routers also provide NAT services. See
    Wireless Internet

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