Networking Device | Repeaters

Like networking media, repeaters are networking devices that exist at Layer 1, the physical layer, of the OSI reference model.

To begin understanding how a repeater works, it is important to first understand that as data leaves a source and goes out over the network, it is transformed into either electrical or light impulses that pass along the networking media. These impulses are referred to as signals. When signals first leave a transmitting station, they are clean and easily recognizable. However, the longer the cable length, the weaker and more deteriorated the signals become as they pass along the networking media.

For example, specifications for Category 5 twisted-pair Ethernet cable establish the maximum distance that signals can travel along a network as 100 meters. If a signal travels beyond that distance, there is no guarantee that a NIC will be able to read the signal. A repeater can provide a simple solution if this problem exists.

Using Repeaters to increase the Extent of the Network

Repeaters can increase the distance over which a network can extend so that signals will not become unrecognizable to devices receiving them on the network. Repeaters take in weakened signals, clean them up, amplify them and send them on their way along the network, thereby increasing the distance over which a network can operate.

Using Repeaters to Increase the Number of Network Nodes

In networking a common problem is that there are too many devices connected to a network. Signals become weaker and more deteriorated when there are too many devices attached to a network because each device attached to e network causes the signal to degrade slightly. Moreover, because a signal has to pass by too many stations or nodes, it can become so weak that it is unrecognizable to devices receiving it. However, a repeater can provide a simple solution if this problem exists as mentioned in the previous section.

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