Networks Parts

A Network may contain the following components:

Terminals or workstations	These are usually present in the largest numbers. They give users access to the various facilities.
A Server	Not an essential component but many of the advantages come from its use. There are several sorts of server the file server is the most common and is used to store data. The server is a specialised machine with backup tapes and often more than one CPU. It is configured for multitasking. The next section describes the various types of server
Print Server (or network enabled printer)	Originally a print server was a computer with a shared printer attached. Later a special device was connected to the network and the printer attached to them. Now most companies buy network printers come network enabled - they have the hardware to connect directly to the network and the software to queue the print jobs in their own dedicated memory.
Cables	Physical Cables - There are three main sorts: twisted pair, fibre-optic, and coaxial.
Connectors	The RJ45 is probably the most commonly seen connector type. It goes into the sockets on the walls in the schools Computer labs and also into the NIC in the back plane of the computer. There are many other type of connector.
Repeater	A repeater receives a signal, regenerates it, and passes it on. It can regenerate and retime network signals at the bit level to allow them to travel a longer distance on the media.
Hub	This is a device for connecting a number of terminals to a network. One wire goes into a hub and a number come out. You can connect computers, network enabled printers, wireless transmitters and so on to the cables that come from the hub.
Bridge	A Bridge is a device that controls communication between two LANs. The bridge has memory to store data that is to be transmitted. It establishes a link with the other LAN and transmits when the bridge at the other end of the line is ready to receive. The Two LANs must have the same platform for a bridge to work.
Router	This device helps determine the optimum route for a data packet across the network. This is a common device in the home network enviroment where a device that combines a wifi transmitter with perhaps 4 cable connections is commonly used.
A Switch	A switch is sometimes described as a multiport bridge. While a typical bridge may have just two ports linking two network segments, the switch can have multiple ports depending on how many network segments are to be linked. Although there are some similarities between the two, a switch is a more sophisticated device than a bridge.
A radio transmitter / receiver(s)	Available for less than £100 and many homes now have a wireless network.
A Modem	This is an important component. it translates between digital and analogue signals. If the network has this component it is a WAN rather than a LAN.
Gateways	A Gateway is a device that enables a LAN to Join to a WAN. The gateway has specialised software that allows data to be transmitted between LANs that are using different protocols. For example it would allow an MS windows LAN to "talk" to a Unix LAN.

I am worried that this section has simpliefied things to the extent that there may be confusion. A fuller explaination can be found at Norworquest

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