SkyNet

In this blog post I will be talking about the different types of communication devices and how they connect to a network. I will also be talking about their limitations. 

A DTE is equipment or software that is capable of converting information to signals and reconverting signals that it then receives.  Data Terminal Equipment does not usually communicate with other DTE’s this is because data communication equipment does this task. Examples of DTE include printers, routers and application servers these devices will receive signals and then convert them to bring the results to the user.  A limitation of this is that if there is a lot of traffic on the network it can take a while to receive the results from the DTE  

A DCE is computer equipment that is used to set up, maintain and stop communication network sessions between the source and the final point. A DCE is connected to a DTE this can then allow for transmission signals to be converted. An example of a DCE is a modem because it provides a path for communication. A limitation of a DCE is that if the cable used to connect up to the modem is faulty it cannot communicate with the DTE.

A laptop can with an Ethernet cable can be used to connect to a network because the Ethernet cable can be connected into the modem in the WAN or internet port. This then allows the laptop to be connected to a network and receive signals from the DCE. A limitation of this can be that when more people want to connect to a network using Ethernet cables the building can start to fill up with cables.

Smartphones are phones that have the capability of doing more than just making phone calls and receiving text messages. A smartphone can connect to a network by connecting to Wi-Fi wirelessly using a DTE. A limitation of using Wi-Fi is that you can have limited connections to Wi-Fi particularly when you have lots of obstacles like walls inbetween.

A network switch is used to accommodate lots of computers at the same time meaning that the internet speed does not slow down as a result. It is particularly helpful for I.T businesses that could have hundreds of computers on the internet at the same time.

A router is used for transmitting information from one computer to the other. A router is most commonly used for relaying information from the internet to your computer.

A wireless access point or WAP is a device on a LAN that allows internet capable wireless devices to connect to a network. WAP’s have radio transmitters and antennae which allow for connectivity between devices or the internet.

A modem can be an internal or external that’s function is to transmit signal from one device to the other using communication lines. Broadband modems transmit between two devices. It is usually used for connecting a single computer to a network or having the capabilities of playing online on games consoles. 

A server can store save and keep files as well as sending data to other computers. Many businesses use local servers so that each computer can be connected to each other.