Repeater, Physical Layer or Layer 1
- Generates a signal in a LAN
Hub, Physical Layer or Layer 1
- Broadcasts what it receives
Switch, Data Link Layer or Layer 2
- A LAN device
- Connects devices in a single MAC
- Stores a MAC Address table
- Unlike a hub, a switch can perform unicasting and send data to the exact recipient
Bridge, Data Link Layer or Layer 2
- Connects two LAN segments that run with the same protocols
- Can regenerate signals because it contains a repeater and MAC Address reading capability
Router, Network Layer or Layer 3
- Makes forwarding decisions based on IP Addresses
- Connects two or more different LANs that have two or more different protocols
Multi-Layer Switch, or Layer 3 Switch
- Can act as a router and a switch
Brouter, Data Link Layer or Layer 2
- A router and a bridge
- A bridge can connect two different LAN segments that use the same protocols
- A router can connect two or more different protocols
- Can act as a Layer 2 bridge or a Layer 3 switch
Modem
- Modulator and demodulator
- A modulator carries digital information on an analog carrier signal
- A demodulator retrieves the transmitted signal, or digital information
Firewall
- Provides security to the network
- Filters packets based on IP Addresses, port numbers, application data, and other data