What is a network?

• An arrangement between people to gather and chat.

• A maze of wires randomly attached to computer equipment.

• A set of computers and devices connected together so that they can communicate and share resources.

• A standalone computer system.

Network Components - What is a network switch?

• A switch connects peripherals on an Ethernet network. (e.g. printer, computer, another switch).

• A lever that toggles things on.

• Another name for a swap.

• A switch connects devices to help form an Ethernet network. A switch examines each data packet that it receives and send the data packet to the desired port where it will be transferred to the next device.

Network Components - What is a network hub?

• A device similar to a network switch. It does not, however, examine each data packet it receives, it simply transmits each data packet to every available port. (Sometimes called a multi-port repeater).

• A security device on an Ethernet network.

• A place to gather and share resources.

• A dongle that connects printers to the computer.

Network components - What is a Wireless Access Point?

• A device that uses radio waves (usually 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz) to transmit data.

• A device that if connected by ethernet cables to a switch can transmit either wirelessly to other wi-fi enabled devices or to the wired network.

• A device that connects wireless (Wi-Fi) enabled devices to a network.

• A device for recharging electric vehicles.

Network components - What is a network interface card?

• A card that allows access to a building.

• A device that connects a peripheral to a network. Without one, this cannot happen.

• An interface between computers.

• A device that contains a unique address called Media Access Control (MAC)

Network components - What is a Wireless network interface card?

• A card that opens doorways.

• Enables a device to be 'wireless enabled', thus able to connect to a wireless access point.

• A device that allows you to listen to the radio.

• Any device without wires.

Network components - What is a router?

• A router is a device that stores the addresses of all devices connected to it.

• A router - in a domestic scenario - is usually combined with a wireless access point and a switch.

• A router is often used as a gateway to a network and in mosts cases connects a Local Area Network (LAN) to a Wider Area Network (WAN) via an internet service provider (ISP).

• A router is a device that determines the most efficient route to use to transfer data packets to their destination.

Network components - What is a repeater?

• A repeater can be either wireless or cabled.

• A repeater is another name for an 'active hub'. it boosts the signal along a network cable. Requiring power, it receives data packets (however long it takes to put them into order) and transmits them on.

• A repeater is an echo device on network.

• A repeater is required when long cable lengths are required (>100m).

Network components - What is a Gateway?

• Allows a secure walk in the park.

• A gateway connects two networks of a different type.

• A security device that only allows certain people to access a network.

• A gateway is typically a router, connecting a LAN to a WAN.

Network components - What is a bridge?

• A family of actors famous for movies.

• A bridge connects two physically separate LANS of the same type together so that devices on each network can communicate with each other.

• A configuration of wires - bound to allow internet access.

• A construction over a river.