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Networking - Router Module
Router Module types
Networking – Router Module
Network equipment is very useful in the combination, switching, splitting, boosting, and direction of packets of data together with a computer network.
The equipment is essential in connection with devices and allows them to distribute information. Design or network structure is established through the topography or layout of the devices connected.
Common network topologies are the tree, hybrid, mesh, bus, star, and ring networks.
The definition of network equipment can be done through various different criteria such as protocol, device type, and interface type. A wide array of products is available including routers, bridges, transceivers, hubs, gateways, and switches.
Choosing Network Equipment
When selecting network equipment, there are a couple of factors that you need to review. Factors such as processor type, computer memory, and speed also need to be taken into consideration. Form factors you need to consider are cards, boards, chips, and enclosed or standalone modules.
On performance specifications, you need to look at the number of users, data rates, the number of all concurrent connections that can be supported by every device, and operating temperature.
Expansion modules
AllHDD offers you a wide selection of Expansion and Miscellaneous modules, so check our catalogue for new or refurbished options.
Expansion modules offer extra tape drive capacity and cartridge storage. Under the Base Module, you can have up to 14 Expansion Modules installed. Bear in mind that 14 Expansion Modules support needs level 12 hardware and 3.00 firmware or more. Level 11 hardware and below can only cater to 9 Expansion Modules.
All the Expansion Modules can have up to two power supplies and two drives. They are however shipped without installed power supplies. The module only needs a power supply after a tape drive is installed in it. If a tape drive is not installed, the power offered via the USB cable connecting to the Base Module can be used to operate the Expansion Module.
Installing a drive in the Expansion Module requires you to also install one or more power supplies. It is possible for a second power supply to be added for redundancy. One supply can however supply two drives with power.
Every Expansion Module needs 2U rack space. Each Expansion Module is connected to the Base Module via a type-A USB connector. The Expansion Module package includes the following:
- Module controller
- Left and right tape magazines (15–slot)
- Identification labels
- Mounting hardware for securing the module to the rack.
Ports
A router is the central device of your home network. You can plug one end of the network cable into it. The other end is then connected to networking devices having network ports. If you desire to have extra network devices for your router, more cables are required and more router ports.
The ports, on both ends of the devices and the router, are referred to as Local Area Network (LAN) ports (there are 1 port, 2 port, or 4 port options). They can also be called Ethernet ports or RJ45 ports.
