Computer Networks

1. Network Hardware
   1. Routers
      1. Functionality
         1. Directing data packets between networks
         2. Managing traffic within and between networks
      2. Types of Routers
         1. Wired Routers
         2. Wireless Routers
         3. Core Routers
         4. Edge Routers
         5. Virtual Routers
      3. Features
         1. Quality of Service (QoS)
         2. Network Address Translation (NAT)
         3. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
         4. Wireless standards (e.g., Wi-Fi 6)
   2. Switches
      1. Functionality
         1. Connecting devices within a single network
         2. Using MAC addresses to forward data to the correct device
      2. Types of Switches
         1. Managed Switches
         2. Unmanaged Switches
         3. Smart Switches
         4. Layer 2 Switches
         5. Layer 3 (Multilayer) Switches
      3. Features
         1. VLAN Support
         2. Port Mirroring
         3. Link aggregation
         4. Power over Ethernet (PoE)
   3. Hubs
      1. Functionality
         1. Receiving data packets and broadcasting them to all connected devices
      2. Types of Hubs
         1. Active Hubs
         2. Passive Hubs
         3. Intelligent Hubs
      3. Features
         1. Simplicity and cost-effectiveness
         2. Limitations in terms of collision domain
   4. Bridges
      1. Functionality
         1. Connecting two LAN segments to make them function as a single network
      2. Types of Bridges
         1. Local Bridges
         2. Remote Bridges
         3. Wireless Bridges
      3. Features
         1. Reducing network traffic
         2. Filtering traffic
   5. Modems
      1. Functionality
         1. Modulating and demodulating analog signals for digital data transmission
      2. Types of Modems
         1. DSL Modems
         2. Cable Modems
         3. Fiber Optic Modems
         4. Dial-up Modems
      3. Features
         1. Compatibility with ISP services
         2. Built-in router function in some models
   6. Gateways
      1. Functionality
         1. Connecting networks with different protocols
      2. Types of Gateways
         1. Network Gateways
         2. Application Gateways (Proxies)
         3. VoIP Gateways
         4. Cloud Storage Gateways
      3. Features
         1. Protocol conversion
         2. Firewall and security functionalities
   7. Firewalls
      1. Functionality
         1. Monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic
      2. Types of Firewalls
         1. Hardware Firewalls
         2. Software Firewalls
         3. Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
      3. Features
         1. Packet filtering
         2. Stateful inspection
         3. Intrusion detection and prevention
   8. Access Points
      1. Functionality
         1. Extending wireless coverage
      2. Types of Access Points
         1. Standalone Access Points
         2. Controller-based Access Points
         3. Cloud-managed Access Points
      3. Features
         1. Multiple SSID support
         2. Roaming capabilities
         3. Seamless integration with existing networks
   9. Network Interface Cards (NICs)
      1. Functionality
         1. Providing the interface for a device to connect to a network
      2. Types of NICs
         1. Ethernet NICs
         2. Wireless NICs
         3. Fibre Channel NICs
      3. Features
         1. Speed (e.g., Gigabit, 10 Gigabit)
         2. Wireless standards (e.g., 802.11ac)
         3. Full-duplex capabilities
   10. Load Balancers
       1. Functionality
          1. Distributing network or application traffic across multiple servers
       2. Types of Load Balancers
          1. Hardware Load Balancers
          2. Software Load Balancers
          3. Virtual Load Balancers
       3. Features
          1. SSL Offload
          2. Session Persistence
          3. Health Monitoring
   11. Network Attached Storage (NAS)
       1. Functionality
          1. Providing centralized data storage and access over a network
       2. Features
          1. RAID support for data redundancy
          2. File sharing protocols support (e.g., NFS, SMB/CIFS)
          3. Backup and recovery solutions