Understanding Network Connectivity Devices

Network switches are designed to connect network devices together to form a local area network. Switches can be used to create logically secured virtual local area networks. Common management interfaces include: command‐line programming and web‐browser‐based interfaces. Routers are network connectivity devices that forward network information in a manner similar to switches. The microprocessor is a specialized device optimized to operate as a route processor. In communications and digital networking, a gateway is defined as a device that interfaces a network with another network that employs a different protocol. A network bridge (sometimes referred to as a network switch) bridges network segments together and forwards traffic from one network to another. In a wireless network, the network devices connect to the network through a device known as a wireless access point. Typical attacks targeting network connectivity devices include: unauthorized accesses and packet sniffing attacks.