1.5 Communication Hardware

Question 1

What are all the communication hardware devices?

Answer 1

Hub, Switch, Modem, Router, Wireless access point (WAP),
Combined device, Network interface card (NIC)

Question 2

Hub

Answer 2

Receives data packages from a connected device transferring a copy to all connected nodes.

Question 3

Modem

Answer 3

Sends data across the telephone line

Used to convert a computer’s digital data into an analog signal. Another modem converts the signal back to digital at the receiving end.

Question 3

Switch

Answer 3

Receives data packets, processing and transferring them on to a specifically listed destination address.

This makes it more efficient than the hub.

Question 4

Router

Answer 4

Transfers data packets between networks. Data is sent from network to network towards the destination listed.

A router stores the address of each computer and uses routing tables to find the best quickest and shortest path.

Question 5

Wireless access point (WAP)

Answer 5

Provides a link between wireless and wired networks, creating a wireless local area network that allows devices to connect to the wired network.

Question 6

Combined device

Answer 6

Provides functionality of multiple communication devices.

However is more expensive and more adaptable than a single device which has improved performance.

Question 7

Network interface card (NIC)

Answer 7

Internal piece of hardware that is built in to the motherboard and is required for a device to connect to a network.