6. Networking Devices

Router: allows data to be routed to a different ip subnet. Its an OSI layer 3 device. Connects diverse networks LAN, WAN, Copper, fibre

Switch: OSI layer 2 device (Data link). They operate at the MAC address layer to forward traffic (based on the datalink address). They operate mostly In hardware. The hardware inside these switches are called ASIC (application specific integrated circuit)

Firewall: filters traffic by (TCP/UDP) port number or application. NGFW(next gen firewall: helps identify applications traversing the network allowing you to manage weather the application is allowed/not allowed on the network.). They also encrypt traffic with a VPN functionality. They can also be 3 layer devices (routers) because they manage the communication btw the inside and outside.

IDS & IPS (Intrusion Detection/Prevention System): Detection- Alarm. Prevention- stops it getting into the network

Load Balancer: distributes load. Used in database farms. Identifies faults and converges quickly once fault is detected and removed.

Proxy: takes users request, performs request, obtains the answer to request, verifies by checking if there’s no malicious content, then providing the answer to end user. Caching and URL filtering occurs here

NAS & SAN (Network Attached storage / Storage Area Network): NAS: provides file level access. SAN:more efficient. Blocked level access allows specifi info modification. The most efficient is the one with high andwidth

Access Point: allows communication between devices and other devices. Extends the wired network onto the wireless network. OSI Layer 2 device.

Wireless LAN controllers: allows managinvg an entire infrastructure from one spot. Configures and deploys changes to all sites (access points)