Nothing runs right in companies or corporations today without the proper IT network infrastructure and equipment. IT networking is the construction, design, and use of network equipment to allow groups of computing devices to exchange data with one another, over both wired and wireless networks. The market covers networking hardware, software, and services, including virtual networks, servers, network management, and security

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What Is A Network?

In simple terms, a network is a group of interconnected devices that can communicate with each other. This network can be physical, such as computers connected by cables or wireless devices connected through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Networks can be used for many purposes, such as sharing files, accessing the internet, or communicating with other devices.

There are two types of networks: active and passive. Active networks are those that are constantly sending and receiving data, while passive networks are those that only receive data. On the other hand, passive networks are used for applications where data does not need to be sent immediately, such as downloading files or streaming video.

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What Is An Active Network?

An active network is an electronic network with active components such as amplifiers, routers, repeaters, switches, and hubs to transmit data between devices. These active components enhance the signals that pass through the network, ensuring they reach their intended destination without losing quality or strength. Active networks are commonly used in larger businesses, universities, and government organizations. Examples of Active Networks include LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), and MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks).

However, the downside of an active network is that it is more complex to set up and maintain than a passive network. The active components require power, which adds to the overall cost of the network. Moreover, active networks are more vulnerable to failure due to the number of components involved, making it important to have a reliable backup plan. Despite these drawbacks, an active network is a powerful tool providing reliable and efficient connectivity for various applications.

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Some examples of active network components include:

Routers, Switches, Hubs, Wireless Access Points, Modems, Network Interface Cards (NICs), Firewalls, PDUs, KVM switches, rectifiers, etc. Active network components are critical for building a modern and efficient network.

Active networking hardware includes:

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What Is A Passive Network?

A passive network is a type of network that does not use any active components, such as amplifiers or repeaters, to transmit data between devices. Instead, it relies on the inherent properties of the transmission medium, such as resistance, capacitance, and inductance, to transmit signals from one device to another.

The most common example of a passive network is a simple electrical circuit consisting of a voltage source, a resistor, and a load. The voltage source provides the electrical energy that drives the circuit, while the resistor and the load provide the necessary resistance to limit the current and create a voltage drop across the load.

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The passive network hardware includes: