Networking devices switch gateway bridge.pdf
- 2. SWITCH A network switch is a hardware device that connects multiple devices (computers, printers, servers, etc.) within a local area network (LAN) and efficiently manages data traffic. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, though some switches also work at the network layer (Layer 3) for routing purposes.
- 3. HOW DOES NETWORK SWITCH WORKS? 1. Receiving Data Packets: When a device sends data, it's divided into smaller units called packets. These packets are transmitted over the network and received by the switch. 2. Examining MAC Addresses: Each device on the network has a unique identifier known as a MAC (Media Access Control) address. The switch examines the destination MAC address in each incoming packet to determine its intended recipient. 3. Forwarding Data: Based on the MAC address, the switch forwards the packet directly to the appropriate device's port, ensuring efficient and accurate data transmission.
- 4. ADVANTAGES • Efficient Communication: By directing data only to the intended recipient, switches reduce unnecessary data traffic, leading to faster and more reliable network performance. • Enhanced Security: Since data isn't broadcasted to all devices, there's a reduced risk of unauthorized access or eavesdropping. • Scalability: Switches can handle numerous devices, making it easy to expand your network as needed. • Full-Duplex Mode: Modern switches support simultaneous two-way data transmission, allowing devices to send and receive data at the same time without collisions.
- 5. DISADVANTAGES • Complexity: Configuring and managing switches can be complex, particularly for those without networking expertise. Improper configuration may lead to network inefficiencies or vulnerabilities. • Cost: Switches, especially advanced models, tend to be more expensive than simpler networking devices like hubs or routers. This higher cost can be a consideration for organizations with limited budgets. • Limited Ports: Switches come with a fixed number of ports. If you need to connect more devices than the switch can accommodate, you'll need to purchase additional switches or upgrade to a larger one. • Troubleshooting Challenges: In switched networks, data packets are sent directly to their destination ports, making it difficult to monitor or troubleshoot network issues without specialized tools or configurations like port mirroring.
- 6. BRIDGE In computer networks, a bridge is a networking device that connects two or more network segments, allowing them to function as a single network. It operates at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model and is used to filter traffic, reduce collisions, and improve overall network efficiency
- 7. HOW DOES NETWORK BRIDGE WORKS? 1. Receiving Data Frames: When a bridge receives a data frame, it checks the destination MAC address in the frame's header. 2. Learning MAC Addresses: The bridge maintains a MAC address table (also called a forwarding table), which maps MAC addresses to their respective network segments. When a new device sends data, the bridge learns its MAC address and associates it with the incoming port. 3. Forwarding or Filtering Data: If the destination MAC address is on a different network segment, the bridge forwards the frame to the correct segment .If the destination MAC address is on the same segment, the bridge filters (blocks) the frame, preventing unnecessary traffic. 4. Broadcast Handling: Bridges forward broadcast and multicast traffic to all segments, ensuring that network-wide communication happens smoothly. 5. Collision Reduction: By dividing the network into segments, bridges reduce the number of collisions, leading to better efficiency.
- 8. ADVANTAGES • Reduces Network Traffic: Bridges filter and forward data only to the necessary segments, reducing overall traffic and improving efficiency. • Improves Network Performance: By dividing a network into segments, bridges reduce congestion and collisions, leading to smoother data flow. • Extends Network Coverage: Bridges connect multiple LAN segments, allowing networks to expand beyond physical limitations without requiring additional IP configurations. • Enhances Security: Since bridges filter traffic based on MAC addresses, they can help control which devices communicate, improving security.
- 9. DISADVANTAGES • Slower Performance in Large Networks: Bridges can introduce latency because they process and filter every data frame, making them inefficient in large networks. • Increased Network Traffic with Broadcasts: Bridges do not block broadcast traffic, meaning all broadcast messages are forwarded to all segments, which can lead to congestion. • Limited Scalability: Bridges work well in small to medium-sized networks but struggle with large-scale networks due to increased processing load. • No Traffic Prioritization: Unlike routers, bridges do not prioritize network traffic, which can lead to inefficiencies in handling different types of data.
- 10. GATEWAY A gateway is a networking device that acts as a bridge between two different networks that use different communication protocols. It operates at layer 3 (network layer) or higher in the OSI model and is responsible for translating data formats, protocols, or addressing schemes to enable communication between networks.
- 11. HOW DOES NETWORK GATEWAY WORKS? 1. Receiving Data Packets: When a device on one network sends data to a device on another network, the data is first sent to the gateway (e.g., a router or firewall). 2. Protocol Conversion (if needed): If the two networks use different protocols (e.g., TCP/IP and AppleTalk), the gateway translates the data into a format the receiving network understands. 3. IP Address Translation (NAT):If a private network (e.g., a home network) needs to communicate with the public internet, the gateway translates private IP addresses into a public IP address.This process, called Network Address Translation (NAT), allows multiple devices to share a single public IP. 4. Packet Filtering & Security (Firewall Functionality):The gateway may inspect incoming and outgoing packets for security purposes. Firewalls within gateways block or allow traffic based on predefined security rules. 5. Forwarding Data to the Destination Network: Once processed, the data is forwarded to the destination device on the external network . If the data is coming from the external network, the gateway routes it back to the appropriate device in the internal network.
- 12. ADVANTAGES • Protocol translation : a gateway can convert data from one protocol to another, allowing seamless communication between different network architectures (e.G., Translating between ipv4 and ipv6). • Network security : gateways often include security features like firewalls, encryption, and authentication to protect data as it moves between networks • Interconnectivity : they enable communication between otherwise incompatible systems, such as local area networks (lans) and wide area networks (wans) or cloud and on-premises environments. • Traffic control & management : A gateway can regulate data traffic, ensuring that only authorized data passes through, optimizing network performance, and reducing congestion.
- 13. DISADVANTAGES • High cost – gateways are more expensive than simpler networking devices like routers or switches due to their advanced processing capabilities and security features. • Latency issues – since gateways process and translate data between different protocols, they can introduce delays, which may affect network performance. • Complex configuration & maintenance – setting up and maintaining a gateway requires technical expertise, as it involves configuring security policies, protocols, and network rules. • Single point of failure – if a gateway fails, it can disrupt communication between connected networks, making it a critical point in the network infrastructure.
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