A Career in Hardware and Networking
Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computing device, as opposed to software which contains instructions written for machine reading that tell the hardware what to do.
Networking is a method for linking computers together in order to share resources and information, using hardware such as cables, hubs, routers and switches.
What is Hardware?
Computer hardware refers to all the physical parts that comprise a computer system, from its case and monitor, keyboard and internal components like memory and chips to external devices like printers and speakers. Hardware is sometimes abbreviated as “hw”.
Software is a set of instructions that instruct hardware on what it should do, from video games and phone apps to word processing programs. Hardware and software work hand in hand but have distinct roles within an ecosystem.
Hardware devices communicate with other pieces of hardware and software through drivers that are installed into an operating system or installed separately, or through firmware that consists of machine-readable instructions written in binary code – more complex data than is utilized by computer programs written using various programming languages. Hardware devices may also interact with liveware — the human user of a system known as orgware — for interaction purposes.
What is Networking?
Networking refers to the practice of connecting devices within a computer system – both hardware and software components. Networks enable information and resources such as files, printers and scanners to be transmitted easily while also helping improve computer performance while decreasing maintenance costs.
Network hardware refers to devices that facilitate communication among computers on a local area network (LAN), including Ethernet adapters and wireless LAN devices as well as devices that ensure content delivery such as routers and switches.
Network interface cards (NICs), circuit boards that allow computers to connect to networks, are an integral component of computer networks. While some NICs come built-in to motherboards, others must be added externally. Network switches are multiport devices designed to improve LAN efficiency; they maintain limited routing information about MAC addresses while prioritizing data packets based on priority settings that users specify; these switches may either be managed or unmanaged; with managed ones providing users the flexibility of managing settings like LAN traffic prioritization.
What is the Difference Between the Two?
Computer hardware and networking are related disciplines used to make a computer system or network function. While similar devices make computers work, networking involves various hardware devices that facilitate communication among computers connected via networks.
Network hardware includes transmission media – physical wires or cables used to link network components together and facilitate data transfer – as well as bridges which link them. Different transmission media have different properties which determine their speeds of data transfer between network hardware devices.
Networking is essential for companies, enabling employees to share files and information among themselves for improved efficiency, as well as supporting scalability as companies grow. Understanding the difference between hardware and networking will also aid you when sitting for various government exams requiring computer awareness knowledge.
What is the Career Path in Hardware and Networking?
Hardware and networking provide an opportunity for those passionate about technology to pursue a rewarding career path. This field involves the logical interconnection of computer parts such as processors, motherboards, chips, RAM, circuit boards, external hard disks, printers and keyboards among others. As more organizations utilize computers in private and government institutions across different sectors globally this field has seen incredible growth over time.
Professionals working in computer hardware and networking provide software installations as well as ensure computer systems work quickly and efficiently. Courses from certificate level up to master’s degrees can help launch successful careers in this sector. Some renowned institutes that offer certification include Roman Technology, TOPS Technologies, NIELIT and CCNA/CCNP/CCIE certification programs.
Roman Technology is an established hardware and networking training institute with branches in all major Indian cities, offering 6-month courses from basic to advanced levels for each level of knowledge. Furthermore, practical assignments help evaluate student proficiency.
