3 Computer Networking - Understanding network hardware

Servers

What's important in a server?
1. Scalability
2. Reliability
3. Availability
4. Service and Support

Hot-swappable components - components in a server that can be changed without shutting down the server.

Server form factors

Form factor refers to the size, shape and packaging of a hardware device. Server computers usually come in three form factor:
1. Tower case
2. Rack mount
3. Blade servers

Network Interface Card

Every computer on the network requires a NIC to access the network. NIC is a Physical/Data Link layer device.

Network Cable

Coaxial -  also known as thinnet or BNC.

Twisted Pair - UTP (Unshielded twisted pair - 10BaseT)

Switch

Data Link layer device which can look into the packets that pass through it and examine their MAC address. This enables it  to route packets to the appropriate destination.

A Hub is a physical layer device, hence cannot do this.

Repeater

Boosts a network signal so that it can travel farther. Physical Layer device.

Bridge

A Bridge connects two networks so that they act if they're one network. It's a Data Link Layer device.

Router

Router itself is a node on a network. Routes packets. Network layer device.

NAS

Network  Attached storage

SAN

Storage Area network

Active Directory

Database that organises information about a network and allows users and computers to gain permission to access network resources.