Understanding Network Devices
We use Internet everyday thanks to Jio but have you ever wondered how this internet actually reaches to our home or offices? Internet is a huge global network it is not a cloud nor a huge single machine but it is a huge network of networks. Like data centres , servers, submarine cables, Fiber optic networks and many ISPs(Internet service providers like Jio, Airtel etc).
There are different roles of many network devices for providing internet to our home, offices, mobile phones. Let’s have a detailed discussion on them .
What is Modem ?
Modem is a device that connects our local network with ISPs by converting ISP signals into data that our device can understand.
Why do we need modem ?
Data transferred from ISP is in the form of signals that can be a light signal(fiber) , electrical signals (copper wires), or may be a radio signal (wireless). Our computer device only understands binary that is 0 & 1 they can’t understand this signals.
So modem acts as a translator between our devices and ISP signals . It translates ISP signals into binary form so that our devices can understand it.
What is Router ?
A router is a networking device that connects our local network to other networks (including internet) and decides where data packets should go. If modem brings the internet then router decides where should internet go. It connects 2 different networks WAN (internet/ISP side) and LAN(our local network). That is why it is called router it routes traffic between 2 network.
Why do we need a Router ?
Router enables us to use one Internet connection in many devices securely and efficiently. Without router there should be no WiFi , no security layer , only one device can use internet but because of router now many device can access the same internet connection.
Difference between Modem and Router :
| MODEM | ROUTER |
| It brings internet to our network. | It manages and shares the internet inside our network |
| It acts as a translator between ISP and our local network which translates ISP signals into binary 0&1 | It acts as a traffic distributor and manages traffic between local devices and internet |
| Provides raw internet access which only 1 device can use | It shares the internet across many devices. |
| It has no security but good efficiency | It has security and good efficiency for sharing data. |
Switch vs Hub :
What is hub?
Hub is a simple networking device that broadcast data to all connecting devices. In current era Hub is a dumb and old device because it just broadcasts all the data so there is no security, anyone can hear what data is sending to whom.
For eg
What is SWITCH ?
A Switch is an intelligent LAN device that sends data only to the intended device( where user wants data to go). Switch actually knows who is connected and where is connected.
Difference between HUB & SWITCH:
| HUB | SWITCH |
| Hub broadcasts data to every devices | Switch sends data directly to the device |
| Chances of collision are very high | Almost no collision |
| Very poor security and speed | High speed and security |
| Doesn’t need MAC cable | It requires MAC cable to transfer data. |
| Almost no use today except in some companies | Heavily used in many companies |
FIREBALL the security guards :
If routers are the brain of computer then fireball are security guards. Fireball is the security device or software that monitors , filters, and control network traffic based on predefined protocols. In short fireball allows what is allowed and what is it be blocked.
Why “Security Lives Here”?
Every data packet entering or leaving the network must have passes through fireball. Fireball checks it according to security protocols and takes decision to allow it entering into network or blocked that data pack. Without fireball there would be no control into the network and it would become an open network which is very risky. Fireball are mostly built-in routers or often come as a separate device.
Importance of Load Balancer in real systems:
A load balancer is a system that distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers so that no single server gets overloaded. Sometime when there are so many users actively working on a site then the site crashes due to overload or sometime when servers are down then also site crashes . To overcome this situation we use load balancers. So that it distributes the traffic and releases load from the server.
All These Network Devices Work Together (Real-World Setup)
Internet signals coming from ISP’s entered into out networking system from modem. Then it is controlled by router and fireball. It travels inside LAN via switches and finally it is being scaled using load balancers.
Thank you for reading . Have a happy learning journey. I hope this article added some value for your given precious time.
