Hardware

There are numerous choices of technological hardware from which you can choose, both for your home and business needs. Due to the wide variety, a beginning networker may get confused as to which are the basic pieces of equipment that are needed to begin.

Home networks mostly do not need servers, but business networks require it. Business networking is more complicated than home networking; however, business networking only requires a few parts.

Servers

A server is an important piece of hardware of the network. Not all networks need a server, but if it used, then it is the key part. The server is comparable to the center of the wheel. Just like the center of the wheel leads the spokes, the server leads all of the computers connected in a network. This gives you a basic idea of the computer networks.
You should decide the size of the server that you would require based on your network's size and needs. Some also go for multiple servers, if they are handling each of the applications individually. For instance if they have one for mail, one for web, and one completely for printing. However, there are also companies that function with a single server.
You can purchase a server computer to connect all the computers together and set up a home network. For a small home network, a server is not needed; however, large home networks need a server. High-end PCs can act as a server for both small and large home networks.

Networking Hardware

Networking hardware includes every single piece of equipment used in a network. The most important of those are the computer and the server. Other networking hardware includes routers, bridges, switches, network cards, and the other pieces of hardware that connect the components in the network. The network cards and cables or wireless routers are used to connect computers to a server.
There are many networks that do not require a server, but still use networking hardware like routers to connect the computers in the network to the broadband connection. They can also be used to connect several computers to the printer or scanner. Network cards are the networking hardware used in a home network to connect the computers together in small home networks.

Data Storage

Everyone stores data of some kind; therefore, everyone needs some kind of data storage to suit their needs. Organizations use servers to store their data. In the server, they make some files accessible by everyone and some have restricted access. Some of the very common methods that are used by businesses for data storage include data center, blade storage, and disk storage.
Data storage is needed for home users too. Any extra space needed for the home networks can be made available in the form of internal and external disk drives. These are both affordable and also serve as supplement for the PC hard drives. It is advisable not to store the large files in the main hard drive in order to free up space. Data accessed by everyone is often stored on the server or hub computer in home networks.