Network devices are hardware elements, or physical devices, that are used to define a network and provide communication and connection functions between them. Following are some examples of network devices:
• Hub – these devices connect network devices together so that they can communicate and also acts as a repeater by amplifying data signals that travel over large distances.
• Switch – a switch is a multi-port device that improves network efficiency of hubs and routers; they are virtual circuits that can be used to improve network security since they cannot be examined using network monitors.
• Router – these devices transmit data packets from one destination to another by charting a path through different network devices and topology.
• Bridge – a bridge is used to connect on or more network segments together; they store and forward frames between them using Media Access Control (MAC) addresses.
