These days, computer networking is not just an issue of software, it is also a matter of hardware, especially in the case of small to medium size organizations. When companies need to enhance their network infrastructure, they normally go for the networking equipment that have been tested and proven to be reliable and effective.

However, this does not mean that these computers and networks are ready for high availability. They are most definitely not at the stage where the system can work without the intervention of any single person and that too as much as possible.

Computer Networking Systems

When computer networking systems are first introduced, there are several new things that are required to be done to make them reliable and versatile. The concept of dividing the network into small segments is also important. The network segments are generally designated according to the devices used by the users.

The routers are used to make the network segment more flexible and can be used to bridge or connect different user devices to each other, while the switches are used to connect different segments together. There are a number of criteria to be taken into consideration when designing the computer networking equipment.

The devices are designed with a very low cost but the durability and reliability of the device is a primary concern. The basic components of computer networking equipment include software, the operating system and the hardware. Each of these has its own set of responsibilities and its tasks.

Software is basically used to store all the details of the network including the routing tables and the other features, while the operating system handles all the software processes and provides the user interface. As far as the hardware goes, the manufacturer has to ensure that the device comes with built-in features and this is usually handled by the operating system.

Components of Computer Networking Systems

The hardware should have all the advanced features such as:

• Ethernet,
• serial ports,
• USB ports,
• firewalls,
• routing tables,
• etc.

These features are designed to handle the complex tasks of network engineering. For instance, firewalls are used to keep out fire.

Some of the other features include applications, memory, storage, networking capabilities, etc. All these components are interrelated to each other. They have to be linked by proper protocols and communication standards to achieve certain tasks.

It is important to have the right amount of memory, storage space, and bandwidth in order to provide the user interface and flexibility of the system. In order to keep the price low, most of the equipment makers opt for the software based equipment.

A router is a very important component of the network. This is used to route packets and provide network access. It can be used to be a router for a smaller network segment or it can act as a switch, which connects different devices to each other.

Switches are also important, since they provide switching functions such as polling, encryption, and authentication. They are the key components of the computer networking system. Therefore, when making the decision on the computer-networking equipment, it is extremely important to evaluate all the factors and check if the system can function properly and efficiently.