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Devices that mediate data transmission in a computer network
Networking hardware, also known as network equipment or computer networking devices, are electronic devices that are required for communication and interaction between devices on a computer network. Specifically, they mediate data transmission in a computer network.[1] Units which are the last receiver or generate data are called hosts, end systems or data terminal equipment.
Networking devices include a broad range of equipment classified as core network components that interconnect other network components, hybrid components that can be found in the core or border of a network, and hardware or software components that typically sit on the connection point of different networks.[2]
One of the most common types of networking hardware today is a copper-based Ethernetadapter, which is a standard inclusion on most modern computer systems. Wireless networking has become increasingly popular, especially for portable and handheld devices.[3][4]
Taking a wider view, mobile phones, tablet computers and devices associated with the internet of things may also be considered networking hardware. As technology advances and IP-based networks are integrated into building infrastructure and household utilities, network hardware will become an ambiguous term owing to the vastly increasing number of network-capable endpoints.[6][7][8]
Core network components interconnect other network components.
Gateway: an interface providing compatibility between networks by converting transmission speeds, protocols, codes, or security measures.[9]
Router: a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet. A data packet is typically forwarded from one router to another through the networks that constitute the internetwork until it reaches its destination node.[10] It works on OSI layer 3.[11]
Switch: a multi-port device that connects devices together at the same or different speeds on a computer network, by using packet switching to receive, process and forward data to the destination device. Unlike less advanced network hubs, a network switch forwards data only to one or multiple devices that need to receive it, rather than broadcasting the same data out of each of its ports.[12] It works on OSI layer 2.
Repeater: an electronic device that receives a signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, or onto the other side of an obstruction, so that the signal can cover longer distances.[14]
Repeater hub: for connecting multiple Ethernet devices together at the same speed, making them act as a single network segment. It has multiple input/output (I/O) ports, in which a signal introduced at the input of any port appears at the output of every port except the original incoming.[1] A hub works at the physical layer (layer 1) of the OSI model[15] and all devices form a single collision domain. Repeater hubs also participate in collision detection, forwarding a jam signal to all ports if they detect a collision. Hubs are now largely obsolete, having been replaced by network switches except in very old installations or specialized applications.
Bridge router (brouter): a device that works as a bridge and as a router. The brouter routes packets for known protocols and simply forwards all other packets as a bridge would.[17]
Hardware or software components that typically sit on the connection point of different networks (for example, between an internal network and an external network) include:
Proxy server: computer network service which allows clients to make indirect network connections to other network services.[18]
Firewall: a piece of hardware or software put on the network to prevent some communications forbidden by the network policy.[19] A firewall typically establishes a barrier between a trusted, secure internal network and another outside network, such as the Internet, that is assumed to not be secure or trusted.[20]
Network address translator (NAT): network service (provided as hardware or as software) that converts internal to external network addresses and vice versa.[21]
Modem: device that modulates an analog "carrier" signal (such as sound) to encode digital information, and that also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. Used (for example) when a computer communicates with another computer over a telephone network.[24]
^Team, Editorial (September 4, 2019). "ISDN Terminal Adapter". NETWORK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
^Team, Editorial (August 23, 2019). "Line Driver". NETWORK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Archived from the original on March 17, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
