1. Hub. A device where various computers on a network or networks on the Internet connect.
2. CAT5. Category 5 cables consist of 4 pairs twisted pair cable for carrying signals. This type of cable is used in cabling for computer networks. It is also used to carry other signals such as telephony and video. The cable is commonly connected using RJ-45 modular connectors. Category 5 has been superseded by the CAT5e specification.
3. CAT6. Unlike CAT5, Category 6 cables are similar 4 pairs twisted pair cable for carrying signals. But this cable is less vulnerable to system noise and crosstalk. The cable standard provides performance of up to 250 MHz
4. Network interface card (NIC). A expansion card that allows a PC to connect to a network. Most NIC are attached in the PCI slots on the motherboard.
5. Router. A device that routes data between networks using IP addressing. Routers provide firewall security.
6. Switch. In a network, a switch is a device that channels incoming data from any of multiple input ports to the specific output port that will take the data toward its intended destination. On an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a switch determines from the physical device (Media Access Control or MAC) address in each incoming message frame which output port to forward it to and out of. In a wide area packet-switched network such as the Internet, a switch determines from the IP address in each packet which output port to use for the next part of its trip to the intended destination.
