NETWORK HARDWARE

Networking hardware normally refers to equipment facilitating the use of a computer network. Typically, this includes routers, switches, access points, network interface cards and other related equipment.

The most general kind of networking hardware today is copper-based Ethernet adapters, helped largely by its standard inclusion on most contemporary computer systems. Wireless networking has become increasingly popular, however, especially for moveable and handheld devices.

Other hardware prevalent inside computer networking is data centre equipment (such as file servers, file servers and storage areas), network services (such as DNS, DHCP, email etc) as well as other specific network devices such as content delivery.

Other diverse devices which may be considered networking hardware include mobile phones, PDAs and even modern vending machines. As technology grows and IP-based networks are integrated into building communications and household utilities, network hardware becomes an ambiguous statement owing to the growing number of 'network capable' endpoints.