Computer Networks Micro project.

Project Title: Networking Devices and Their Functions.

Project Description:
This project aims to provide an overview of various networking devices and their functions. The project will
involve researching different types of networking devices and explaining their roles in a network.

Tools Required:
• Internet access for research.
• Word processor or presentation software to create the report.
• Diagramming tool to create the network diagram.

Commonly used networking devices:

• Router.
• Switch.
• Hub.
• Firewall.
• Modem.
• Access Point.
Step To Be Followed: -
1.Research: Research various types of networking devices such as routers, switches, hubs, modems, firewalls,
and load balancers. Gather information about their functions and how they work.
2. Description: Write a brief description of each device, explaining its purpose and how it contributes to a
network.
3. Comparison: Compare the different devices and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Discuss which
devices are best suited for different types of networks and environments.
4. Diagram: Create a diagram of a sample network and label the different devices that would be used in that
network.
5. Practical application: Identify a real-world scenario where networking devices are used and explain how
different devices are used to achieve the desired outcome.
6. Conclusion: Summarize the key points discussed in the project and provide recommendations on the best
networking devices to use in different situations.

Networking devices and their functions:

Router:
The router is a physical or virtual internetworking device that is designed to receive, analyse, and forward data
packets between computer networks. A router examines a destination IP address of a given data packet, and it
uses the headers and forwarding tables to decide the best way to transfer the packets. There are some popular
companies that develop routers; such are Cisco, 3Com, HP, Juniper, D-Link, Nortel, etc. Some important
points of routers are given below:
o A router is used in LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) environments. For
example, it is used in offices for connectivity, and you can also establish the connection between distant
networks such as from Bhopal to
o It shares information with other routers in networking.
o It uses the routing protocol to transfer the data across a network.
o Furthermore, it is more expensive than other networking devices like switches and hubs.
A router works on the third layer of the OSI model, and it is based on the IP address of a computer. It uses
protocols such as ICMP to communicate between two or more networks. It is also known as an intelligent
device as it can calculate the best route to pass the network packets from source to the destination automatically.
A virtual router is a software function or software-based framework that performs the same functions as a physical
router. It may be used to increase the reliability of the network by virtual router redundancy protocol, which is
done by configuring a virtual router as a default gateway. A virtual router runs on commodity servers, and it is
packaged with alone or other network functions, like load balancing, firewall packet filtering, and wide area
network optimization capabilities.

Applications of Routers :
There are various areas where a router is used:
o Routers are used to connect hardware equipment with remote location networks like BSC, MGW, IN,
SGSN, and other servers.
o It provides support for a fast rate of data transmission because it uses high STM links for connectivity;
that's why it is used in both wired or wireless communication.
o Internet service providers widely use routers to send the data from source to destination in the form of e-
mail, a web page, image, voice, or a video file. Furthermore, it can send data all over the world with the
help of an IP address of the destination.
o Routers offer access restrictions. It can be configured in a way that allows for few users to access the
overall data and allows others to access the few data only, which is defined for them.
o Routers are also used by software testers for WAN communications. For example, the software manager
of an organization is located in Agra, and its executive is located at a different place like Pune or Bangalore.
Then the router provides the executive the method to share his software tools and other applications with
the manager with the help of routers by connecting their PCs to the router using WAN architecture.
o In wireless networks, by configuring VPN in routers, it can be used in the client-server model, which allows
sharing the internet, video, data, voice, and hardware resources. As shown in the below picture:
Switch:
A switch is a hardware device that connects multiple devices on a computer network. A Switch contains more
advanced features than Hub. The Switch contains the updated table that decides where the data is transmitted or
not. Switch delivers the message to the correct destination based on the physical address present in the incoming
message. A Switch does not broadcast the message to the entire network like the Hub. It determines the device to
whom the message is to be transmitted. Therefore, we can say that switch provides a direct connection between
the source and destination. It increases the speed of the network.

A network switch is a hardware device that helps in the transmission of data on a computer network. It uses packet
switching that transmits the data in the form of packets.
The Network switch is a device that connects other devices on a computer network with the help of various data
cables plugged into it. It manages data transmission from the device to the destination where the packet is intended
to be received. It is known as packet switching.
Packet switching is a process to transmit the data over the network in the form of packets. The switches transmit
the data with enhanced security and efficiency. The network address is used as a medium for the identification of
the devices connected to the switch.
The switch is shown below:
Hub :
A hub is a common connection point, also known as a network hub, which is used for connection of devices in a
network. It works as a central connection for all the devices that are connected through a hub. The hub has
numerous ports. If a packet reaches at one port, it is able to see by all the segments of the network due to a packet
is copied to the other ports. A network hub has no routing tables or intelligence (unlike a network switch or
router), which is used to send information and broadcast all network data across each and every connection.
Although most of the hubs can recognize network troubles or errors like collisions, broadcasting all information
to the several ports can be a security risk and cause bottlenecks. The network hubs were popular in the past time
as they were cheaper as compared to a switch or router. Nowadays, switches are much cheaper than a hub and
provide a better solution for any network. Furthermore, a hub is no IP address, as it is a dumb device.
Types of Hub
There are three types of the hub that are given below:
1. Passive Hub
2. Active Hub
3. Intelligent Hub
Passive Hub: The passive hubs are the connection point for wires that helps to make the physical network. It is
capable of determining the bugs and faulty hardware. Simply, it accepts the packet over a port and circulates it to
all ports. It includes connectors (10base-2 port and RJ-45) that can be applied as a standard in your network. This
connector is connected to all local area network (LAN) devices. Additionally, the advanced passive hubs have
AUI ports, which are connected as the transceiver according to the network design.
Active Hub: As compared to a passive hub, it includes some additional features. It is able to monitor the data
sent to the connected devices. It plays an important role between the connected devices with the help of store
technology, where it checks the data to be sent and decides which packet to send first.
It has the ability to fix the damaged packets when packets are sending, and also able to hold the direction of the
rest of the packets and distribute them. If a port receives a weak signal, but still it is readable, then the active hub
reconstructs the weak signal into a stronger signal before its sending to other ports. It can boost the signal if any
connecting device is not working in the network. Therefore, it helps to make the continuity of services in LAN.
Intelligent Hub: It is a little smarter than passive and active hubs. These hubs have some kinds of management
software that help to analyze the problem in the network and resolve them. It is beneficial to expend the business
in networking; the management can assign users that help to work more quickly and share a common pool
efficiently by using intelligent hubs. However, it offers better performance for the local area network.
Furthermore, with any physical device, if any problem is detected, it is able to detect this problem easily.

Features of Hub
o It acts with shared bandwidth and broadcasting.
o It includes only one collision domain and broadcast domain.
o It works at the physical layer of the OSI model and also offers support for half-duplex transmission mode.
o It cannot create a virtual LAN and does not support spanning tree protocol.
o Furthermore, mainly packet collisions occur inside the hub.
Applications of Hub
The important applications of a hub are given below:
o Hub is used to create small home networks.
o It is used for network monitoring.
o They are also used in organizations to provide connectivity.
o It can be used to create a device that is available thought out of the network.
Firewall:
A firewall can be defined as a special type of network security device or a software program that monitors and
filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a defined set of security rules. It acts as a barrier between
internal private networks and external sources (such as the public Internet).
The primary purpose of a firewall is to allow non-threatening traffic and prevent malicious or unwanted data
traffic for protecting the computer from viruses and attacks. A firewall is a cybersecurity tool that filters network
traffic and helps users block malicious software from accessing the Internet in infected computers.

Functions of Firewall :
As stated above, the firewall works as a gatekeeper. It analyzes every attempt coming to gain access to our
operating system and prevents traffic from unwanted or non-recognized sources.
Since the firewall acts as a barrier or filter between the computer system and other networks (i.e., the public
Internet), we can consider it as a traffic controller. Therefore, a firewall's primary function is to secure our network
and information by controlling network traffic, preventing unwanted incoming network traffic, and validating
access by assessing network traffic for malicious things such as hackers and malware.
Generally, most operating systems (for example - Windows OS) and security software come with built-in firewall
support. Therefore, it is a good idea to ensure that those options are turned on. Additionally, we can configure the
security settings of the system to be automatically updated whenever available.
Firewalls have become so powerful, and include a variety of functions and capabilities with built-in features:
o Network Threat Prevention
o Application and Identity-Based Control
o Hybrid Cloud Support
o Scalable Performance
o Network Traffic Management and Control
o Access Validation
Modem:
A modem converts data to a signal so it can be easily sent and received over a phone line, cable, or satellite
connection. For transmission over an analog telephone line—which was once the most popular way to access the
internet—the modem converts data between analog and digital formats in real time for two-way network
communication. In the case of the high-speed digital modems popular today, the signal is much simpler and
doesn't require the analog-to-digital conversion.

Modem Features
• AT Command Help Screens. AT commands allow you to control many of the functions of your modem.
...
• Automatic Cable Sensor. ...
• Automatic Calling Card Dialing. ...
• Call Progress Detection. ...
• Caller ID. ...
• Analog Cellular Communications. ...
• Dialing Stored Phone Numbers. ...
• Digital Line Guard.
Access Point:
A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a networking device that allows connecting the devices with the wired network. A
Wireless Access Point (WAP) is used to create the WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), it is commonly used in large offices
and buildings which have expanded businesses.

It is easier and simpler to understand and implant the device. It can be fixed, mobile or hybrid proliferated in the
21st century. The availability, confidentiality, and integrity of the communication and network are a responsibility
and to be ensured about that.
A wireless AP connects the wired networks to the wireless client. It eases access to the network for mobile users
which increases productivity and reduces the infrastructure cost.

Advantages of Wireless Access Point (WAP):

1. More User Access:
• Normally the wireless router allows 10 – 20 users or devices to access the network. While the WAP allows
50 – 100 or more users or devices to access the network.
• The WAP has a stronger ability to send and receives signals which enables high usage.
2. Broader Transmission Range:
• A wireless router signals cover up to a dozen or 10 -12 meters. However, a wireless access point covers
more than 100 – 300 meters.
 • The broad range is supremacy for the large cover offices or buildings for the bigger businesses. With this
wireless access point, a user can easily roam that network.
3. Flexible Networking:
• It is known that wireless networking except in homes, often involves many wireless devices and different
networking patterns implanted based on the environment and requirements of the commercial locations.
Disadvantages of Wireless Access Point (WAP):
1. High cost:
• A wireless AP is a little bit expensive because the scale of enterprises the wireless scale network is larger,
the more WAPs are needed the more cost will increase. So the enterprise has the priority to control the
cost which leads many users to be reluctant to use WAP but instead of this, they end up using home routers
with the lowest performances.
2. Poor stability:
• As wireless networks use air as a transmission medium, so the network stability is poor and slower in
WAP as compared to the cable network because the transmission medium in wired network is cable.
Especially in WLAN, there are more devices still it is slow and a cable network is faster and more stable
than a wireless network.
• The wireless signals are blocked due to certain obstacles such as heavy rain, great walls, gates, storm,
heavy wind, large gatherings of human beings, etc.
• The signal strength also depends upon the location where the wireless network is implanted.
3. Less Secure:
• As compared to the wired network it is less secure because the user is using radio waves for transmission
and someone or a hacker on that network could sniff the traffic.
Application of Wireless Access Point:
1. It is a device that creates a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) in large enterprises.
2. It is used to extend the coverage area of the network so that it can’t disconnect which allows more users
to connect to the network easily.
3. An access point connects a switch, Ethernet cable, wired router, and Wi-fi to designate the particular area.
4. It is used to provide connectivity to the users in large offices or enterprises which allows users to roam
easily anywhere in the office and be connected to a network.
5. LANs can also be provided in public places such as coffee shops, restaurants, airports, etc.

Expected Outcome:
By the end of the comprehensive understanding of the project, you will have a various networking device and
their functions. You will also be able to identify which devices are best suited for different types of networks and
environments. The project report can be used as a reference guide for anyone who wants to learn about networking
devices.