What is a router? A router is a device which acts as an interface between two networks.

It forwards packets based on network level addresses (Internet Protocol addresses in this case) between your ISP's router and either your LAN or your single PC. A router learns more about the networks to which it is connected and can be more selective about the packets it passes on. A router rejects packets unless they match predefined attributes (eg specific protocols or destination network addresses). A router can also select the best route for packets to take in large interconnected networks

What is bandwidth? Bandwidth in computer networking refers to the data rate supported by a network connection or interface. One most commonly expresses bandwidth in terms of bits per second (bps). Hub A common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.

What is a switch? An Ethernet/LAN switch creates a virtual network between two networked devices for the duration of the data transfer. This is unlike a hub which forwards all received data to all connected devices, even though the data may be destined for just one of those devices. A switch learns the association between the MAC addresses of connected devices and its switched ports. By sending data only to where it needs to go, a switch reduces the amount of data on the network, thereby increasing the overall performance of the connected devices. A switch also improves security, since data is not broadcast to every connected device, but only to the device for which it is destined, it cannot be monitored by other connected devices.

Proxy Server Some home networks, corporate intranets, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use proxy servers (also known as proxies). Proxy servers act as a "middleman" or broker between the two ends of a client/server network connection. Proxy servers work with Web browsers and servers, or other applications, by supporting underlying network protocols like HTTP. Key Features of Proxy Servers Proxy servers provide three main functions: 1. firewalling and filtering 2. connection sharing

3. caching Bridge A bridge device filters data traffic at a network boundary. Bridges reduce the amount of traffic on a LAN by dividing it into two segments. What is a WAP? A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a 'base station' device that connects a wired Ethernet network to a wireless network (WLAN) comprising one or more wireless devices. While very small WLANs can function without a WAP in "ad hoc" or "peer-to-peer" mode, WAPs support "infrastructure" mode which bridges WLANs with a wired Ethernet network and also scales the network to support more clients. There a few different types of WAP: (1) Bridges ? connect devices that all use the same kind of protocol; (2) Hubs ? provide networking connections to a variety of clients and add features like roaming; (3) Routers ? connect networks that use different protocols; and (4) Gateways - provide additional features such as NAT, DHCP servers and firewalls.