Hubs:
What's a Hub?
The Hub is a device that helps connecting other devices on the local network. It's considered not as smart, as it ain't have any ability to perform any sort of data filtering!
Speaking of that, the Hub contains multiple ports, connecting in a Bus Topology where every node is a part of the same domain, so when the Hub receives data, it copies it to all the existing ports that have devices connected to them.
Notable ports:
The Hub contains a AUI port for connecting a thick coxial cable, as well a port for connecting a thin coxial cable.
Cons of a Hub:
As it lack the ability to perform any data filtering, it arouse data security concerns, as all the devices connected to the local network, will receive every package transmitted, whether they are intended to receive it or not. Further more, it's not as good on the performance department, as it keeps sending unnecessary traffic, which wastes bandwidth!
Physical topology:
The physical topology for a Hub was usually a hierarchical start, or a tree. And as the ports on Hubs are limited, another Hub can be connected to an existing one, to provide extra ports if needed!
What's a Coxial Cable?
A coxial cable is a type of transmission line, used for carrying high-frequency electrical signals, with low losses.
Switches:
What's is a Switch?
A switch is a device so similar to the Hub, as it connects other devices to a local network. It contains ports that accepts ethernet cabels, and differ from the Hub by the fact that it has the ability to read and save the MAC "Media Access Control" addresses of the devices connected to it, the thing that enables it to receive the message, and redirect it to the targeted port only, instead of broadcasting it to all existing ports.
Can a Switch go online?
No, the Switch is not able to go online, and is limited to the local network, as it lacks the ability to reading IP addresses.
Routers:
What's is a Router?
The Router is a device that connects multiple devices to a LAN, and provides an external connectivity to those devices to the outer networks.
Routers are able to read & save MAC and IP addresses, meaning, it connects the devices locally, by assigning a unique local IP address to each device connected to it, which enables the internal communication, and also, connects those devices to the external networks, by receiving requests from withing, and traveling out via a public IP to the targeted destination, to retrieve a response.
It also listens to any external requests coming from the internet, and is able to filter and redirect the data to its targeted receiver only, with the help of IP & MAC addresses.
MSAU:
Defenition:
A MSAU "Multi Station Access Unit", also known as Media Access Unit "MAU", is a device used to connect multiple network stations in a Star Topology as a Token Ring, while its inner topology is a Ring Topology!
What's a Token Ring?
A Token Ring is a physical & data link computers network technology, used to build local area networks.
Pros of the Token Ring:
- High speed data transfere.
- Secure.
- Durable, as it ain't dependant on any node.
- Suitable for small and mid size, high value networks.
- Makes identifying faulty equipment easy.
Cons:
- Requires a lot of cabling.
- Takes a long time to set up.
- Makes it difficult to secrete all cables.
- Each computer can have a limited number of cables.
- Requires meticulous planning!