What is the functional purpose(s) of ...

1) Router
2) Access Points
3) Bridges
4) Switches

Thanks,

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 07:21:22 -0800, "AJM" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
in <(E-Mail Removed)>:

>1) Router
>2) Access Points
>3) Bridges
>4) Switches

Wikipedia

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
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Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

AJM wrote:
What is the functional purpose(s) of ...
> 1) Router
> 2) Access Points
> 3) Bridges
> 4) Switches

Answer:

Providing monetary income for trained and experienced professionals.

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 07:21:22 -0800, AJM wrote:

> 1) Router

Sends packets various directions based on their IP address

> 2) Access Points

Provides access to a LAN (mostly with wireless)

> 3) Bridges

Connect two networks through a different medium at level 2 (Ethernet, for
example)

> 4) Switches

Nearly like a router, but works at level 2 and greatly lowers the traffic
any one station on the network sees. It also improves network utilization
by reducing collisions.

> Thanks,

Google is your friend.

You're welcome.

- Nate >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds,
the pessimist fears this is true."

"AJM" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>1) Router

Drills grooves and finishes edges on wood furniture and counter tops.

>2) Access Points

Useful for emergency escapes and maintenance in vehicles, trains, and
sewers.

>3) Bridges

For crossing over rivers, valleys, and roadways.

>4) Switches

Turns the lights on and off.

>Thanks,

You're welcome. If you have problems using any of the internet search
tools or encyclopedia reference guides, please ask for help. If you
need wireless basics, start with the wireless tutorials at:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

AJM wrote:
> 1) Router
Routes data from one network to another. The most common example is
routing data from the Internet to your local home network. A wireless
router consists of a router, a wireless access point, and usually a
switch. A wired router may or may not have a built in switch.
> 2) Access Points
A wireless access point could also be called a wireless hub. It
connects wireless devices to a given network. You would typically
connect an Access Point to a switch or hub (or a switch located on a
router).
> 3) Bridges
A device that connects two parts of the same network via an alternate
method. A wireless bridge connects devices on a local network via a
wireless connection.
> 4) Switches
Routes data between devices on a single network. For a local area
network, all devices on the network would communicate through the
switch. Any access outside the network (like accessing the internet)
would require a router to route data to the other network.
>
> Thanks,


A simple diagram of these devices in action (I hope it is readable).

= is wire
~ is wireless
= computer 1
Internet = router = switch = access point ~ wireless bridge = xbox 1
= computer 2

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:45:17 -0700, Bryant Smith
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<ekkjq1$4nv$(E-Mail Removed)>:

>AJM wrote:
>> 2) Access Points
>A wireless access point could also be called a wireless hub. It
>connects wireless devices to a given network. ...

Bad analogy (IMnsHO at least) -- hubs can connect to other hubs, but
access points cannot connect to other access points.

>> 3) Bridges
>A device that connects two parts of the same network via an alternate
>method. ...

Bridges can actually bridge between two different networks.

>> 4) Switches
>Routes data between devices on a single network. ...

Switching is not routing. A switch differs from a hub in that traffic
is directed to the single destination, instead of being broadcast to all
destinations.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

John Navas wrote:
> On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:45:17 -0700, Bryant Smith
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <ekkjq1$4nv$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>
>> AJM wrote:
>>> 2) Access Points
>> A wireless access point could also be called a wireless hub. It
>> connects wireless devices to a given network. ...
>
> Bad analogy (IMnsHO at least) -- hubs can connect to other hubs, but
> access points cannot connect to other access points.

True - I was trying to be simplistic rather than nit pick details.
Although, access points with WDS can connect to each other...

>
>>> 3) Bridges
>> A device that connects two parts of the same network via an alternate
>> method. ...
>
> Bridges can actually bridge between two different networks.

True.

>
>>> 4) Switches
>> Routes data between devices on a single network. ...
>
> Switching is not routing. A switch differs from a hub in that traffic
> is directed to the single destination, instead of being broadcast to all
> destinations.
>

You say it directs traffic I say it routes traffic. The two verbs can
mean very closely the same thing. The actual switch hardware does in a
way "route" traffic by sending the packets to their proper destination
in much then same way a router "directs" traffic to its proper
destination. It is just done at a different abstraction layer. Both
devices send traffic to a specific place as opposed to a hub that sends
all traffic everywhere.

Anyway, I'm not much for arguing over little details. The original
poster looked like he just wanted a simple explanation so that's what I
gave.

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:44:35 -0700, Bryant Smith
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<ekkua7$7q1$(E-Mail Removed)>:

>John Navas wrote:
>> On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:45:17 -0700, Bryant Smith
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> <ekkjq1$4nv$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>>
>>> AJM wrote:
>>>> 2) Access Points
>>> A wireless access point could also be called a wireless hub. It
>>> connects wireless devices to a given network. ...
>>
>> Bad analogy (IMnsHO at least) -- hubs can connect to other hubs, but
>> access points cannot connect to other access points.
>
>True - I was trying to be simplistic rather than nit pick details.

That's not a nit pick -- that's a fundamental difference.

>Although, access points with WDS can connect to each other...

But not as clients.

>>>> 4) Switches
>>> Routes data between devices on a single network. ...
>>
>> Switching is not routing. A switch differs from a hub in that traffic
>> is directed to the single destination, instead of being broadcast to all
>> destinations.
>
>You say it directs traffic I say it routes traffic. The two verbs can
>mean very closely the same thing.

Not in technical terms -- they are fundamentally different, and a misuse
of the terms.

>Anyway, I'm not much for arguing over little details. The original
>poster looked like he just wanted a simple explanation so that's what I
>gave.

No offense intended, but inaccurate information can do more harm than
good.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Bryant Smith <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:ekkua7$7q1$1
@az33news01.freescale.net:

>>>> 4) Switches
>>> Routes data between devices on a single network. ...
>>
>> Switching is not routing. A switch differs from a hub in that traffic
>> is directed to the single destination, instead of being broadcast to
all
>> destinations.
>>
>
> You say it directs traffic I say it routes traffic. The two verbs can
> mean very closely the same thing. The actual switch hardware does in a
> way "route" traffic by sending the packets to their proper destination
> in much then same way a router "directs" traffic to its proper
> destination. It is just done at a different abstraction layer. Both
> devices send traffic to a specific place as opposed to a hub that sends
> all traffic everywhere.
>
> Anyway, I'm not much for arguing over little details. The original
> poster looked like he just wanted a simple explanation so that's what I
> gave.
>

As the saying goes.......'it's all in the details.'

The typical LinkSys/D-Link/Netgear Cable/DSL router is not really a
router either. It is a NAT device.

It's main function is not to 'route' packets anywhere, it is to translate
packets from one or more private IP addresses on a LAN to make the
destination look like the internet (or WAN) IP of the NAT-Device itself,
so other hosts on the internet can get data back to the PC with the
private IP.