Computer network hardware provides the building blocks for an organisation’s computer network. Networking hardware typically includes equipment such as routers, switches, hubs, gateways, access points, network interface cards, networking cables, network bridges, ISDN adapters and firewalls. There may also be a range of network security devices and data storage subsystems.
IT departments often carry out a network hardware inventory or network hardware audit to ensure that they have up to date and functioning networking equipment.
The cornerstone of most business’s networking hardware is the copper-based Ethernet adapter, plus Ethernet cables which allow network traffic to be transmitted at up to 100Mbit/sec.
Wireless networking has also become popular more recently, especially for mobile and handheld devices such as PDAs. Wireless networks use standard wireless networking protocols and wireless security encryption technologies.
Network hardware installations might also incorporate data centre equipment such as storage area networks, file servers, mainframes and database servers or database management systems, also known as a DBMS.
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