Question : hubs/switches/repeater/gat<wbr />eway/bridg<wbr />e/router basics

hi friends,iam new into networking.can some one clarify very briefly the differences between
the following:
hubs/switches/repeater/gateway/bridge/routers

would really appreciate it.

also what does Tbase10 mean

thanks

sgf

Answer : hubs/switches/repeater/gat<wbr />eway/bridg<wbr />e/router basics

Hub ==> is a dumb device that acts as to broadcast a received packet on all its outgoing links.

Switch ==>  is a device that provides bridging functionality with greater efficiency. it normally has a buffer for each link it is connected to. It stores incoming packet in the buffer, checks the destination address, if the destination link is free, sends it over it.

Repeater ==> is an electronic device that operates on only physical layer of the OSI model. it allows us to extend only the physical length of a network without changing the functionality of the network in anyway. A repeater does not amplify the signal, it just regenerates it. When it receives a weakened or corrupted signal, it crates a copy bit for bit, at the original strength.

Bridge ==> operate in both physical and data link layers of the OSI model. Bridges contain logic that allows them to keep the traffic for each segment separate. In this way, they filter traffic, hence controlling congestion and isolating problem links.

Routers ==> have access to network layer addresses and contain software that enables them to determine which of several possible paths between those addressess is best for a particular transmission.

Gateway ==> is a protocol converter. It is usually software installed within a router. the gateway understands the protocols used by each network linked into the router an dis therefore able to translate from one to another. A router by itself transfers, accepts, and relays packets only across networks using simillar protocols. A gateway, on the other hand, can accept a packet formatted for one protocol(eg. appletalk) and convert it to a packet formatted for another protocol(tcp/ip) before forwarding it.