Networking is the process of creating connections between devices. It can be used to transmit data, share resources, and provide internet access. Network security is a system that protects networks from unauthorized access and use.

The purpose of networking is to enable communication between devices. This can be done by connecting them directly to one another or by connecting them over a network of other devices. Networking has been around for years and it has evolved with the times. Some interesting topics will be considered in this article as it bothers around network devices and topologies.

Network Devices

• Hub A network hub is a node that broadcasts data to all linked computers and Ethernet-based devices. A hub lacks the sophistication of a switch, which may isolate data streams to specific devices. Hubs do not filter or address packets; instead, they just broadcast data packets to all connected devices. Hubs are part of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and operates at the Physical layer. Simple and multiple port hubs are the two types of hubs.

• Switch Switches are networking devices that operate at the OSI model’s layer 2 or data link layer. They connect network devices and use packet switching to deliver, receive, and forward data packets or data frames across the network. A switch contains numerous ports into which computers are connected. When a data frame arrives at any port of a network switch, it is examined, relevant checks are performed, and the frame is sent to the appropriate device (s). It may communicate in unicast, multicast, and broadcast modes.

• Router A router is a hardware or software device that receives, analyzes, and forwards data packets between computer networks. A router looks at a data packet’s destination IP address and uses headers and forwarding tables to figure out the best way to send the packets.

• Bridge A network bridge is a computer networking device that combines various communication networks or network segments into a single, aggregate network. Network bridging is the term for this function. Bridging is not the same as routing. Multiple networks can communicate independently while remaining separate using routing, but bridging unites two different networks as if they were one.

• Gateway A gateway is a telecommunications network node that joins two networks with distinct transmission methods. All data must travel through or communicate with the gateway before being routed, hence gateways serve as an entry and departure point for a network.

• Modem “Modulator-Demodulator” is the abbreviation for “Modulator-Demodulator.” It is a hardware component that allows a computer or another device to connect to the Internet, such as a router or switch. It translates or “modulates” an analog signal received over a telephone or cable line into digital data (1s and 0s) that a computer can understand.

• Repeater A repeater can extend a data signal from one network segment and then pass it on to another, thereby scaling the network size. The repeater allows data to be transferred across a vast region while maintaining signal security and quality. It may also retransmit data while securely retaining the signals.

• Access Point In a typical office or large building, an access point is a device that generates a wireless local area network, or WLAN. An access point uses an Ethernet cable to connect to a wired router, switch, or hub and broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal to a specific region.

Network Topology

Network topology refers to how various nodes, devices, and connections are physically or logically arranged in relation to one another. Five Netwok topology types will be discussed in this article

• Star Topology: In computer networks, a star network is an application of the spoke–hub distribution model. Every host in a star network is linked to a central hub. One central hub serves as a channel for messages in its most basic form. One of the most frequent computer network topologies is the star network.

• Bus Topology: A bus topology arranges all of the devices on a network along a single cable that runs in a single direction from one end of the network to the other—hence the names “line topology” and “backbone topology.” The network’s data flow also follows the cable’s path, traveling in one direction.

• Ring Topology: The nodes of a ring topology are arranged in a circle (or ring). The data can move in either one route or both directions through the ring network, with each device having exactly two neighbors.

• Tree Topology: The tree topology structure takes its name from the fact that the central node acts as the network’s trunk, with nodes branching outward in a branch-like pattern. The tree topology structure is frequently used for wide area networks to handle many spread-out devices since it is both incredibly flexible and scalable.

• Mesh Topolpgy: A mesh topology is a complex and extensive system of point-to-point links that connects the nodes. Mesh networks can be complete or incomplete. Partial mesh topologies are generally interconnected, with a few nodes having only two or three connections, whereas full mesh topologies are completely interconnected

Securing Networking Devices 

The below steps offer insight into how networking devices can be appropriately secured

• Networks and functions should be segmented and separated.
• Limit lateral communications that aren’t necessary.
• Secure your network gadgets.
• Infrastructure equipment require secure access.
• Out-of-band (OoB) network management is performed.
• Verify the hardware and software integrity.