Transparent Bridging and MAC Address Filtering
A bridge uses a database to send frames across network segments. The database is a list of nodes MAC addresses and their locations on the network. To send a frame between two segments a bridge reads a frame's destination MAC address and decides to either forward or filter. More ...
What Are Fiber Optic Circulators?
An optical circulator is an nonreciprocal passive device that directs light sequentially from port to port in only one direction. The operation of a circulator is similar to that of an isolator except its constructions is more complex. More ...
Introduction to SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking)
SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking) standards were developed to take advantage of low-cost transmission over optical fibers. It defines a hierarchy of data rates, formats and optical signal specifications. More ...
Wireless Network Vlans - How to Implement Wireless Vlans
Wireless access points operate as bridges with no routing defined anywhere on the wireless network segment. VLANs are defined on the wired switches and mapped with specific SSIDs at each access point. The wireless client associates with a specific SSID which in turn will map client with membership in a specific VLAN. More ...
Wireless or Wired Network?
Do you want the freedom of a wireless network, or do you want the security and reliability of a wired network? Both networks can provide you with great service and expandability, but each one varies in size, reliability, cost and speed. More ...
What Are Fiber Optic Isolators?
Light can be reflected back and forth. In fiber optic networks, the reflections are harmful to the system. That's where fiber optic isolator comes to play. Optical isolators stop
back-reflection. More ...
Multilayer Switch
A network switch operates at layer 2 the OSI model. A multilayer switch also works at layer 3 or higher, all the way up to layer 6 of the OSI model. More ...
Routers
Routers are sometimes confused with network hubs, modems, or network switches. However, routers can also provide additional features such as embedded firewall and content filtering software that provides an additional protection from unwanted content and malicious websites. More ...
Wireless Networking
If a home has multiple computers, it makes sense for them to share files and an Internet connection. This two-part article will provide an introduction to the basic hardware and security related considerations involved in wireless networking. More ...
An introduction to Linux Network Routing
Routing is where routers select the paths for packets to travel from their source to their destination. The process performed by a router directs forwarding by the use of of routing tables. More ...
ISP Multihoming Explained
Multihoming is essentially a method whereby a company can connect to more than one ISP at the same time. The concept was born out of the need to protect Internet access in the event of either an ISP link failure or an ISP internal failure. More ...
Wireless Networking Infrastructure Mode
In Ad Hoc mode devices make wireless connections directly between computers, Infrastructure mode wireless devices use access points (WAPs), switches, and routers to connect. More ...
Computer Network Routers, Hubs, and Switches
The most common components on a computer network, not counting cables, are "routers", "hubs", and "switches". Many of these modules can be appear similar and there can be significant overlap in roles. This article explains the difference between these important network components. More ...
