Inter-network processors are special-purpose

processor Processor may refer to: Computing Hardware * Processor (computing) **Central processing unit (CPU), the hardware within a computer that executes a program *** Microprocessor, a central processing unit contained on a single integrated circuit (I ...

s which aid in the interconnection of

telecommunications network A telecommunications network is a group of nodes interconnected by telecommunications links that are used to exchange messages between the nodes. The links may use a variety of technologies based on the methodologies of circuit switching, message ...

s. Most commonly used inter-network processors are ''switches, bridges, hubs, routers and gateways''. ''Switches'' act as interfaces for communication between telecommunications circuits in a networked environment. In addition, most modern switches have integrated network managing capabilities and may operate on numerous layers of the

OSI reference model The Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model) is a conceptual model that 'provides a common basis for the coordination of SOstandards development for the purpose of systems interconnection'. In the OSI reference model, the communications ...

. Switches usually come as managed or unmanaged. The managed switches commonly have no management interface and/or configuration options, while their counterparts offer interfaces for modification of switch operation. A ''bridge'' can connect numerous

local area network A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building. By contrast, a wide area network (WAN) not only covers a larger ...

s for the purpose of collaboration and/or exchange of information. However, the local area networks must be using the same sets of communication rules or protocols for a bridge interconnection to be successful. In slight contrast, '' routers'' are considered intelligent communications processors, which do the same thing as bridges do, namely connect two or more networks, but they allow specification of different protocols to be required factors in the interconnection process rather than the entire

protocol suite The protocol stack or network stack is an implementation of a computer networking protocol suite or protocol family. Some of these terms are used interchangeably but strictly speaking, the ''suite'' is the definition of the communication protoc ...

. Routers are generally optimized for

Ethernet Ethernet () is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 198 ...

LAN interfaces and are likely not to contain any other types of physical interfaces. ''Hubs'' are communications processors which allow for port-switching, similarly to switches. Both of these processors support automatic port-switching in order to provide shared resources access to the users of a particular networked environment. However, hubs do not manage traffic so every packet that enters any port is in output on every other port, resulting in

packet collision A collision is the situation that occurs when two or more demands are made simultaneously on equipment that can handle only one at any given instant.Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188 It may refer to: * Collision domain, a phy ...

s that interrupt the flow of traffic. When networks do not use the same protocols for the purpose of communication, they can be connected via ''gateways'', using protocol conversion processes. In addition, gateways require congruent or at least mutually acceptable administrative procedures between the interconnecting networks. The duties of a gateway are usually much more complex than those of switches or routers.

References

LAN Internetworking Devices: Bridges (1999). Data Communications Networking Devices. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from Computers & Applied Sciences Complete database. LAN Internetworking Devices: Gateways (1999). Data Communications Networking Devices. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from Computers & Applied Sciences Complete database. O’Brien J. A. & Marakas, G. M. (2008). Management Information Systems. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Routers (2003). Ethernet Networks. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from Computers & Applied Sciences Complete database. {{DEFAULTSORT:Inter-Network Processors Telecommunications infrastructure