Topic Six: Common Networking Hardware

Students should become familiar with the following concepts:

•  The router is a device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP’s network. 

•  Switches in networks are devices that filter and forward packets between LAN segments. Switches operate at the data link layer (layer 2) and sometimes the network layer (layer 3) LANs that use switches to join segments are called switched LANs or, in the case of ethernet networks, switched ethernet LANs. 

•  The wireless router/ethernet switch combo unit is found in most people’s homes providing them with internet access. They are also found in public places and businesses providing free wireless connectivity for patrons. 

• Smartphones result from the miniaturization of all of the hardware that comprises a typical computer. The smartphone has its internal storage, memory, circuit boards, a processor, a wireless adapter, and an antenna.