Exploring the 3 Types of Network Infrastructure Devices

You’ve probably heard various terms like network hubs, network switches, and network routers, but do you know what these devices are, and more importantly, what differentiates them from one another? Each of these devices serves a different purpose, and depending on your business’ needs, one might be better than the other. Let’s look at the differences between all of these networking devices and why you might choose each one for running your business.

Despite their differences, however, all of these devices have one thing in common: they connect one computer to another. It’s the scope and scale that differs between them (and why you might prefer a certain solution over another).

Understanding Network Hubs

A hub connects computers to a private network without access to any external networks. That means—you guessed it—it cannot communicate with the Internet, and it’s limited to local devices. The hub receives data packets, then broadcasts those packets to other devices on the network. The bandwidth is split between the network’s devices as well, which means the more devices you have connected to the hub, the fewer resources each of them have access to. Ultimately, you get slower connection speeds, which doesn’t sit well with businesses these days and has relegated hubs to being seen as a solution of the past.

Understanding Network Switches

Network switches work like hubs, but they handle data packets in a different way. The switch determines where each of the packets should go, then routes the data toward that device. A hub might broadcast your data to all computers on the network, but the switch saves bandwidth by sharing it with only one device at a time. It’s for this reason the switch has picked up in popularity in comparison to the hub.

Understanding Routers

A network router will route data packets to other networks rather than across local computers. Routers connect your business to the Internet, so you can think of these devices as the intermediary between your network and the Internet at large. It grants you access to various tools and solutions that your business needs to function, including firewalls, traffic monitoring, virtual private networks, and more.

What Networking Equipment Should Your Business Use?

The devices your business needs will depend on the way your business communicates and uses its network, so the only advice we can give you in this regard is to leverage the expertise of BSGtech to your advantage.

If you want dedicated advice and support during the implementation of any technology solutions, including infrastructure design and management, we can help. We’ll support your business as it develops the most efficient and secure network possible. Call us today at (866) 546-1004 to learn more.