What Is Network Hardware? Definition, Architecture, Challenges, and Best Practices – Spiceworks

Network hardware is defined as a set of physical or network devices that are essential for interaction and communication between hardware units operational on a computer network. This article looks at the fundamentals of network hardware, network architecture and its key components, challenges of network hardware, and the top 10 best practices for efficient network hardware management for 2022.

What Is Network Hardware?

Network hardware is a set of physical or network devices that are essential for interaction and communication between hardware units operational on a computer network. These are dedicated hardware components that connect to each other and enable a network to function effectively and efficiently.

Today, technology has penetrated its tentacles into every nook and corner of our lives. It has gone from being just an industry add-on to an inevitable necessity. As tech enablement is driving the industrial transformation, it’s important for businesses to build a network that is secure, reliable and keeps the users in touch with their applications. The core of this very foundation is leveraged by the basic network hardware.

Network hardware plays a key role as industries grow as it supports scalability. It integrates any number of components depending on the enterprise’s needs. Network hardware helps establish an effective mode of communication, thereby improving the business standards. It also promotes multiprocessing and enables sharing of resources, information, and software with ease.

Network equipment is part of advancements of the Ethernet network protocol and utilizes a twisted pair or fiber cable as a connection medium. Routers, hubs, switches, and bridges are some examples of network hardware.

Let’s look at the fundamental devices of a computer network.

• Modems: A modem enables a computer to connect to the internet via a telephone line. The modem at one end converts the computer’s digital signals into analog signals and sends them through a telephone line. At the other end, it converts the analog signals to digital signals that are understandable for another computer.
• Routers: A router connects two or more networks. One common use of the router is to connect a home or office network (LAN) to the internet (WAN). It generally has a plugged-in internet cable along with cables that connect computers on the LAN. Alternatively, a LAN connection can also be wireless (Wi-Fi-enabled), making the network device wireless. These are also referred to as wireless access points (WAPs).
• Hubs, bridges, and switches: Hubs, bridges, and switches are connecting units that allow multiple devices to connect to the router and enable data transfer to all devices on a network. A router is a complex device with the capabilities of hubs, bridges, and even switches.
           Hubs: A hub broadcasts data to all devices on a network. As a result, it consumes a lot of bandwidth as many computers might not need to receive the broadcasted data. The hub could be useful in linking a few gaming consoles in a local multiplayer game via a wired or wireless LAN.
           Bridges: A bridge connects two separate LAN networks. It scans for the receiving device before sending a message. This implies that it avoids unnecessary data transfers if the receiving device is not there. Moreover, it also checks to see whether the receiving device has already received the message. These practices improve the overall performance of the network.
           Switches: A switch is more powerful than a hub or a bridge but performs a similar role. It stores the MAC addresses of network devices and transfers data packets only to those devices that have requested Thus, when the demand is high, a switch becomes more efficient as it reduces the amount of latency.
• Network interface cards: A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware unit installed on a computer, which allows it to connect to a network. It is typically in the form of a circuit board or chip. In most modern machines, NICs are built into the motherboards, while in some computers, an extra expansion card in the form of a small circuit board is added externally.
• Network cables: Cables connect different devices on a network. Today, most networks have cables over a wireless connection as they are more secure, i.e., less prone to attacks, and at the same time carry larger volumes of data per second.
• Firewall: A firewall is a hardware or software device between a computer and the rest of the network open to attackers or hackers. Thus, a LAN can be protected from hackers by placing a firewall between the LAN and the internet connection. A firewall allows authorized connections and data-like emails or web pages to pass through but blocks unauthorized connections made to a computer or LAN.

See More: What Is Network Security? Definition, Types, and Best Practices

Network Architecture: Key Components

Network architecture defines the structural and logical design of a network. It constitutes hardware devices, physical connections, software, wireless networks, protocols, and transmission media. It gives a detailed overview of the whole network, which organizations use to create LAN, WAN, and other specific communication tunnels.

Network Architecture

Network architecture can be viewed from different vantage points depending on the size and purpose of the network. WAN refers to a group of interconnected networks distributed over large distances, while LAN refers to a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited space. Therefore, the architecture of a WAN will vary from that of a LAN in a small office.

Setting up the layout of the network architecture is critical, as it can either enhance or hamper the overall performance of the entire system. For example, selecting inappropriate transmission media or equipment for an expected server load in a network can cause slowdowns in different parts of the network.

As more user devices connect to the network, network architecture becomes even more significant by adding a security layer to protect connected devices. Additionally, modern network architectures support advanced user recognition and authorization.

Most network architectures are built on the open systems interconnection (OSI) model. Here, network tasks are segregated into seven logical layers, right from the lowest to the highest abstraction. For example, the lowest physical layer manages the wire and cable connections of the network, while the highest application layer deals with APIs that perform application-specific functions such as chat or file sharing. Overall, with the OSI model, troubleshooting the network is easier as the problems are isolated from each other at different layers.

Network architecture design is more about optimizing its fundamental building blocks. These include four key components:

1. Hardware

Hardware refers to network devices that form the core of any network. These include user devices (laptops, PDAs, mobile phones), routers, servers, and gateways. The basic objective of any network architecture is to establish an efficient mechanism to transfer data from one hardware device to another.

2. Transmission media

Transmission media encompasses all physical connections between network (hardware) devices. The properties of different transmission media determine the speed of data transfer from one endpoint to another. These can be wired and wireless. Wired media include physical wires or cables used for connections within a network, such as coaxial or fiber optics. On the other hand, wireless media operates on properties of microwave or radio signals, such as Wi-Fi or cellular.

3. Protocols

Protocols refer to the rules that govern data movement between network devices. Various machines on a network communicate with each other using this common protocol language. Without these protocols in place, it would be difficult for your iPhone to access a web page that is essentially stored on a Linux server.

The nature of data decides the type of network protocol it needs to adopt. For example, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) is used to connect to the internet, while file transfer protocol (FTP) is used for sending and receiving files to and from a server. Similarly, Ethernet protocol is used for connecting one computing device to another.

4. Topology

Network topology defines how the network is wired together and highlights the network’s structure. This is important because variables such as distance between communicating devices can impact its data transfer speed, thereby affecting overall network performance.

Several topologies exist, each with specific strengths and weaknesses. For example, consider a star topology. In this case, all the network devices are connected to a central hub. The strength of this topology is such that any device can connect to the network easily. However, in situations when the central hub fails, the whole network can crash almost instantly.

Another topology is that of a bus, where all devices are connected along a single pathway, termed as a bus. The bus resembles a highway that transports data from one endpoint to another. Although this topology is easy and affordable to implement, its performance can take a hit as more devices get added to the network.

Today, most network architectures adopt a hybrid approach where different topologies are combined and blended to compensate for each one’s weakness.

See More: Wide Area Network (WAN) vs. Local Area Network (LAN): Key Differences and Similarities

8 Challenges of Network Hardware Today

Addressing common hardware issues such as overloaded servers or overheated equipment is crucial for any business to flourish. Failing to do so can cause substantial revenue loss or hamper business growth through unexpected customer attrition.

According to a recent Infrascale survey of 500 C-level executives at SMBs, hardware failures are the reason for 38% of network downtime. This creates inevitable business challenges for several SMBs. Hence, it is important to have a system that monitors the hardware 24/7.

Although hardware failure can occur due to several factors, here are some of the main challenges of network hardware.

Network Hardware Challenges

1. Physical connectivity challenges

Defective cables and connectors on a network can generate errors on the network devices to which they are connected. The problem aggravates due to a broken or malfunctioning cable. The issue can even crop up on the outside of the LAN infrastructure. Damage to a copper cable or fiber optic connector can significantly reduce the volume of data it can transfer. It can also lead to considerable packet loss.

This challenge can be overcome by adopting a network performance monitoring software that monitors the network for defective cables or connectors. It can also aid in measuring errors on all network interfaces and trigger alerts as and when problems are identified.

2. Malfunctioning hardware devices

Network issues can arise due to malfunctioning network equipment, including firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless access points. The possible reasons for this could be bad configurations, faulty connections, or even disabled devices. It is essential to ensure that all the devices on the network are configured appropriately, as misconfiguration issues can affect different parts of the network, thereby impacting its performance. Such a challenge can be countered by paying close attention to all the devices and switches to verify if they are working normally.

3. DNS issues

Domain name system (DNS) is analogous to a directory for the internet, and every internet-connected device matches domain names with the IP addresses of the websites. Computers can connect to other devices via the internet and look up websites through their IP addresses. As you enter the domain name in a web browser, the DNS finds the content connected to that domain.

DNS problems are common in most networks and can be caused due to hardware failure on the host machine or network. Such challenges can be addressed by troubleshooting network/ hardware configuration settings via network performance monitoring software. This helps in identifying problems at their source.

4. Temperature issues

Most hardware failures occur due to an abnormal spike in temperature. Abnormal heating or cooling in network units can cause the abrupt shutting down or freezing of hardware systems, which eventually results in their failure. As network devices compute large quantities of data, the optimal temperature needs to be maintained to function efficiently.

5. Ventilation problems

As the temperature of the network equipment rises, the performance and speed of its operation slow down. It can even break down in some cases. Poor ventilation arising due to inappropriate device arrangement or wrongful fan setup may not be able to tackle or handle the extra heat produced by network devices. This can worsen and have an adverse effect on network productivity.

6. Overutilization of capacity

Exploiting the surplus capacity of network equipment can slow it down considerably, thereby leading to performance lag. This is one of the prominent network hardware challenges where devices with limited computing resources are overburdened with the excess workload. Such challenges can be tackled by controlling the overutilization of device capacity by resorting to workload division and distribution among other network devices.

7. Fluctuation in power supply

Corroded cable connections or other external factors can lead to notable fluctuations in power supply. In some cases, there can be a sudden surge in power supply, which can cause unplanned outages. Such events can lead to short circuits that can impact the performance of an individual device or the entire network.

8. Battery overuse

The efficiency of a battery takes a hit once 80% of its energy is utilized. Draining the battery can cause cache data loss or a sudden device or server shutdown. Moreover, low-capacity batteries lack power efficiency and have a short shelf life. Such battery units can affect the overall capability of the device and, in turn, affect the entire network.

See More: What Is a Content Delivery Network (CDN)? Definition, Architecture, and Best Practices

Top 10 Best Practices of Network Hardware Management for 2022

Proper network hardware management can help address various hardware challenges. It can ensure that the network infrastructure is secure and not susceptible to device hardware failures. Let’s look at the top 10 practices to leverage better hardware management and establish efficient network operations. The practices listed below provide solutions in addition to addressing the hardware challenges that have been discussed above.

Network Hardware Management Best Practices

1. Opt for multi-vendor support

Modern networks comprise heterogeneous approaches to increase their capability compared to traditional homogeneous networks. Along with default vendor-supported systems, businesses are embracing custom-configured devices that provide specific business solutions. Thus, hardware monitoring practices should support multi-vendor devices irrespective of vendor or configuration barriers.

Moreover, technicians resolving network issues need to have complete visibility into multi-vendor hardware devices in real time.

2. Prioritize critical alerts

Network hardware issues should be prioritized considering two factors: the criticality of the device and the significance of the underlying issue. Additionally, hardware problems are managed by several parties spread across teams and even geographies. It is crucial to push the alerts to the right teams through the right channels in such cases. This creates a well-defined fault resolution path that is properly regulated and managed and will help resolve hardware faults faster and in an optimized manner.

3. Proactively monitor and troubleshoot

Instead of resolving hardware problems after an issue occurs, practicing proactive measures to avoid hardware failure in the initial stage can save a lot of time and resources. Technicians should be alerted in advance based on preemptive hardware device monitoring and management. This will ensure that issues are addressed before they worsen and damage the organizational network.

This practice can be enabled by utilizing historic performance reports to predict and forecast untimely hardware failure. The method of proactive monitoring and troubleshooting ensures that issues are taken care of well in advance.

4. Gain deeper visibility

Hardware issues require an in-depth understanding of the root cause of the problem to resolve them without impacting the network’s overall performance. Hence, one has to gain deeper visibility into the performance of hardware devices to address the minutest problems. Technicians can easily diagnose and fix issues in network hardware devices if they have access to the tiniest details of the hardware devices. This not only improves hardware efficiency but ensures that the network is not affected by hardware problems.

5. Automate basic tasks

L1/L2 troubleshooting operations and fundamental maintenance tasks are quite repetitive. These are time- and resource-consuming activities. As such, automating such tasks can give technicians the liberty and more time to focus on critical hardware alerts that require immediate remedial action. Moreover, technicians also need to keep a tab on the interruptions or failures that may occur in these automated tasks. In simple words, a healthy blend of manual and automation can help in resolving hardware issues quickly.

6. Ensure clarity on hardware dependencies & processes

Failure in one hardware device implies that another device dependent on it will face significant performance degradation. In some cases, it may even lead to the failure of a series of hardware devices. Thus, to prevent total network outage, it is vital to keep track of connectivity along all the hardware devices in the network.

Internal processes and applications can also sometimes cause hardware failures. Hence, having an effective process and application management system in place can ensure that performance slowdown does not result in hardware failure at any point in time.

7. Troubleshoot cable connectivity issues

The cables used for network connections differ depending on the required connectivity type. For example, connectivity between a router and a computer is enabled with a crossover cable. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that a suitable cable is used to make a physical connection between any two network devices.

If the connections are fine, you can conclude that the cable is faulty. This can be verified by replacing the existing cable with a newer one and checking the connectivity. If the problem persists, the port or interface on which the link is terminated needs to be checked, as there is a slim chance that the port may be faulty.

8. Handle faulty ports

In a faulty port scenario, one needs to check that the port or interface on which the link is established is not off or shut down. Verifying the duplex mode and data transfer speed can also help. Additionally, when the port is running fine, but still the problem exists, you can check the indicator lights on each device.

The lights show the running status of the port, i.e., whether the port is physically radiating or not functioning. The physically malfunctioning port will be evident from the light status. It is recommended to configure the link on any other free port or interface in such cases.

9. Verify traffic overload

In situations where there is more traffic than the carrying capacity at a link or interface, it may start behaving abnormally. Thus it is vital to verify traffic overload at a link or interface by inspecting the volume of data packets at a given time on the link under consideration. This ensures the smooth running of hardware devices on the network.

10. Troubleshoot routing problems

While routing data packets on a network, the possibility of fault occurrence is high. Hence, plans for resolving issues can be laid down depending on the fault type. Floating data packets from source to destination hosts can become rogue if the wrong routing protocol is used to find the route to the next hop.

Another issue can relate to malfunctioning firewalls or routing devices. In one scenario, the firewall may prevent the entry of data packets to the destination. In another case, configuration faults at the router end can cause problems for the movement of data packets in a network. Therefore, it is important to troubleshoot concerned routing devices to allow the seamless movement of data packets.

See More: What Is Content Filtering? Definition, Types, and Best Practices

Takeaway

Having a clear understanding of the types of network devices operational on your network can help you enhance the security of your network. Ongoing network security and availability can further be amplified if you track and monitor your network devices and the activities revolving around them. You can easily spot any hardware or configuration problems on the network and resolve them immediately through these practices.

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