Do you know what networking devices are? No, not the kind that connects us to the internet. I'm talking about things like routers, switches and access points. These little pieces of technology can be confusing, especially if you don't know what they do!

This post will look at some of the most common networking devices and find out what each one does. Let's get started!

Types of Networking Devices

A networking device is a physical or virtual device that enables communication between systems on a computer network.

There are many types of networking devices. Here are the common types:

• Repeater
• Hub
• Switch
• Router
• Firewall

Repeater: A repeater is a device that amplifies an incoming signal from one port to another. It's not an intelligent device, meaning it doesn't process or filter the data in any way - it simply repeats the signal. Repeaters work at layer 1 of the OSI model, which is the physical layer. This means they are responsible for sending and receiving physical signals, such as electrical impulses or light pulses.

Hub: also known as a multiport repeater. It helps to amplify signals coming from one port and send them out to multiple ports. This allows you to connect multiple devices together and share data between them. Hubs are not intelligent devices, meaning they cannot filter or route data.

Switch: this is a layer 2 device that uses MAC addresses to forward traffic. Switching is done at layer 2 of the OSI model. A switch is a multiport device that receives frames and forwards them to the correct port based on the MAC address. Switches can be used to create a network of multiple LAN segments. The switch is an intelligent device.

Routers: are devices that use IP addresses to route traffic or signals from one network to another. In other words, they act as a sort of bridge between networks. Routers are an example of layer 3 devices, which means they operate at the network layer of the OSI model. This makes them well-suited for wide area networking (WAN).

Firewalls: are network security devices that filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on a set of rules. Incoming traffic is typically allowed, while outgoing traffic is blocked unless it is specifically allowed by the firewall rules. Firewalls can be hardware devices installed between your computer and the internet or software programs that run on your computer.

Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) offer even more protection, with features such as intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS). IDS (intrusion detection system) is a software that monitors network traffic for suspicious activity. IPS (intrusion prevention system), on the other hand, is a software that monitors traffic and takes action to block or mitigate suspicious activity.

So, now that you have a good understanding of the different types of network devices and their functions, what are you waiting for? Get started on designing and building your perfect network today!