Networking

Networking Devices

Network equipment helps in combining, boosting, splitting, switching, and directing packets of data along with a computer network. Network equipment helps to connect devices and enables them to share information. Network structure or design is determined by the layout or topography of the connected devices. Popular network topologies include bus, mesh, tree, ring, star, and hybrid networks.

Network equipment is defined in any of the following criteria: device type, protocol and interface type. We have a wide range of products including bridges, gateways, hubs, routers, switches, and transceivers.

Hubs: They could be passive or active hubs and serve as the main location for connecting multiple computer networking devices. A hub connects LAN components that have similar protocols without packet filtering or addressing.

Switches: Network switches connect different network devices to the host computers. The addition of new workstations and servers necessitates sharing of ports among numerous devices. You need fast, reliable, and robust network switches for strong networking. We have switches from all major brands including, Brocade, Cisco, Extreme Networks, HPE, Dell, and Juniper Networks.

Routers: Routers are network devices that connect two or more sub-networks. You may require business networking or social networking between branches whereby a scalable router solution comes in handy. These devices can also serve to split large networks into smaller sub-networks. Our devices have firewalls and VPN capability to ensure that your data is safe.

Repeaters: Repeaters transmit signals strongly throughout the network through regeneration and retiming.

Bridges: These devices interconnect networks, both local and remote, and centralize a network service. Bridges will store and forward frames between the two connected segments using MAC addresses. They typically work in the physical and data link layers of the OSI model

Gateways: Gateways offer networking solutions by interconnecting networks that have incompatible communication protocols. These devices work at the transport and session layers of the OSI model. Additionally, gateways provide translation between OSI and TCP/IP and can complete all functions of routers.

Multiplexers: Typically used to bring together multiple signal inputs into a single output.

Transceivers: Also referred to as medium access units (MAU). Transceivers play different roles in a network - to transmit and receive signals and the second role is connecting nodes.

Firewalls: Essentially, a firewall is a device used to protect the network from unauthorized access by controlling traffic leaving and entering a network based on set rules. The firewall device protects the entire network and not a single computer.

Wireless Access Points (WAP): A wireless access point helps in adding wireless connectivity to a wired network. The options available include standalone WAPs for small installations with no more than 5 APs whereas there are controller-managed access points for larger installations to allow central management by network admins.

Network Adapters: Also referred to as network interface controllers (NIC) or network interface cards. Usually used to add networking capabilities and can be wired, wireless, or serving dual wired/wireless roles. A network adapter must be compatible with the wireless network standard used.

Networking Routers and networking Switch are both computer/telecom networking equipment that allows one or more IoT to be connected to other devices. While a networking switch can connect multiple devices and networks to expand the LAN, a networking router will allow you to share a single IP address among multiple network devices.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) Drive: The network-attached storage drive functions just like an external hard drive, but it is a dedicated drive on a network with an IP address. The NAS drive has built-in software that allows the streaming of media and remote access besides providing storage. The advanced NAS drives are multiple hard disks in a RAID setup for effective performance.

Network Cables: Network cables provide physical connectivity between devices and serve to transmit data. We have the best network cables that meet the highest standards, optimal transmission rates, and reliability. We have Ethernet cables of all sizes from 4ft. to 1000ft. depending on your needs and they are availed with the connectors you need.

Some networking opportunities for professional networks include:

• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – refers to a voice communication method that happens over a computer network. There are solutions that can allow your staff to connect over your computer network.
• Power over Ethernet – In an Ethernet cable, there are a total of four pairs of copper where only two pairs are used for Ethernet. The other two pairs can be used for power delivery for low-power devices such as WAPs, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. Some models of switches offer PoE ports – either on the 15.4W/port or 25.5W/port.

Selecting Network Equipment

When choosing networking equipment, there are several factors and parameters to consider, such as computer memory, processor type and speed, as well as the form factors, which include boards, cards, chips, and standalone or enclosed modules. It's also essential to look at performance specifications such as data rates, the number of users, operating temperature, and the total number of concurrent connections that each device can support.

Cisco offers reliable switches for all types and sizes of networks, including LAN types, Campus LAN Switches Access, Campus LAN Switches Compact, and Campus LAN Switches-Core and Distribution. For the Data Center, there are Nexus 9000 Series Switches, Nexus 5000 Series Switches, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, Catalyst 6500 Series Switches, Catalyst 4900 Series Switches, and Service Provider Switches-Aggregation Catalyst 6500 Series Switches and Catalyst 4500 Series Switches. There are also industrial-level Ethernet switches available, such as the Industrial Ethernet 1000 Switches, Industrial Ethernet 2000 Switches, Industrial Ethernet 3000 Switches, Industrial Ethernet 4000 Switches, and Industrial Ethernet 5000 Switches.

Networking solutions are designed for LANs, WANs, and metropolitan area networks. Consider whether the network equipment is power over Ethernet (PoE) capable, supports voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP), has the duplex capability, or is rack-mountable or stackable. Networking equipment with alarms or LED indicators to provide audio or visual notifications if a networking event occurs may also be preferred.

If you need scalable solutions, wireless access points that can be expanded by the node are available. Look for compatible network components and ease of adding provided through plug-and-play devices. The HPE Data Center Switches Series, Aruba Network switches, and ProCurve series all offer high performance, secure connectivity, and scalability. Telecommunication applications require hardened networking equipment that can withstand all weather conditions or deflect high temperatures away from sensitive components.