The network equipment is an integral part of the network, what it consists and than copes. It both the most elementary sockets and panels, and the most complicated switching routers. All influences on qualitative and trouble-free work of a uniform organism which the computer network is.

The network equipment to share on two basic types: passive and active. Cables, sockets concern to the passive equipment, the punch-panel, concentrators - all that works only with electric signals, not analyzing data containing in them. Opposite the active network equipment analyzes a stream, the information passing through the device and depending on it makes a decision on a mode of the work. Distinctive feature of the active network equipment is presence of own memory and the processor device.

Cables - are intended for connection of various network devices among themselves. Cables happen three basic types: coaxial (are used seldom), twisted pair (most widespread) and fibre-optical.

The coaxial cable represents bearing copper vein in an insulator and a shielding braid. Advantages: low cost of a cable, high range of data transmission without relaying. Lacks: low speed of data transmission, low security from not authorized listening. The given kind of a cable already attains the age.

The twisted pair represents some pairs copper wires twisted around each other. Depending on thickness of these wires and quantity of pairs cables share on a category from 1 up to 5. The first category - a simple telephone wire, the fifth category - four pairs (8 wires). The letter "S" means, that a cable is shielded. Advantages: high speed of data transmission, low cost, wide applicability. Lacks: low security from not authorized listening, low range of data transmission without relaying (depends on a category, but all the same it is not high).

The fibre-optical cable represents a vein from a transparent fibre, the factor of which refraction of a material allows to transfer by repeated internal reflections a light signal to long distances with the minimal losses. The fibre-optical vein is in special gel, in the same gel there is the protective cord stiffening a cable. Outside all structure is covered by the protective braid proof to mechanical influences. Advantages of the given kind of a cable: high range of data transmission, high security from listening, high speed of data transmission. Lacks: rather high cost.

Switching panel (punch-down panel) - is intended for connection of the equipment placed in assembly cases, and (or) servers with cables from workstations. Panels have width of a standard network rack (19 inches). On their face sheet sockets of type RG-45 for cables "twisted pair" or SMĀ for an optical fiber, and on a underside - blocks of switching are placed.

Switching panels are very convenient for creation of a network. They allow to switch quickly connections of workstations with concentrators or routers.

Repeater - the device which is used for strengthening a signal and increase in distance of transfer. Repeaters have two ports: on one the weakened signal moves, amplifies and transferred to the second port.

Concentrator (HUB) - many-ports repeater. Each signal received from a workstation, amplifies and broadcast in all other ports.

It is possible to connect some sockets of type RG-45 to the concentrator for cables "twisted pair". Concentrators happen two types - chassis and stackable. Chassis concentrators are mounted in network racks. They have a little slots into which it is possible to insert payments of expansion with connectors RG-45 (a payment can contain from 4 up to 24 connectors). Stackable concentrators represent the integral device with the fixed quantity of ports (from 7 up to 24). Cascade they refer to because if necessary to increase number of ports, concentrators are put one on one - the cascade is created. On it the review of the passive equipment is finished. Read about the active network equipment in following clauses of section.