Computer Networks (Hardware)

Computer Networks (Hardware) refers to the collection of physical devices that form the tangible infrastructure for data communication, including routers, switches, network interface cards (NICs), wireless access points, and the physical media like copper and fiber-optic cables. This equipment is responsible for the generation, transmission, and reception of data signals, managing the flow of data packets between nodes on a network. As the foundation of the network's physical and data link layers, the design and implementation of this hardware directly determine the network's speed, capacity, and reliability, enabling all higher-level software and protocols to operate.

1. Introduction to Network Hardware
   1. Defining Network Hardware
      1. Physical Components of Networks
      2. Active vs Passive Network Hardware
      3. Network Hardware vs Network Software
      4. Hardware Standards and Compliance
   2. Role of Hardware in Network Architecture
      1. Enabling Data Transmission
      2. Supporting Network Topologies
      3. Ensuring Network Performance
      4. Providing Network Reliability
      5. Scalability Considerations
   3. Hardware-Software Interaction
      1. Protocol Implementation in Hardware
      2. Firmware in Network Devices
      3. Device Drivers and Operating Systems
      4. Hardware Abstraction Layers
   4. Network Reference Models and Hardware
      1. OSI Model and Hardware Mapping
         1. Physical Layer Hardware
         2. Data Link Layer Hardware
         3. Network Layer Hardware
         4. Higher Layer Hardware Considerations
      2. TCP/IP Model and Hardware
         1. Network Access Layer Hardware
         2. Internet Layer Hardware
         3. Hardware Independence in Upper Layers