Explain what is repeater in networking with types of Repeater in details

What Is Repeater

Repeaters are networking devices which is operating at physical layer of the OSI model that amplify or regenerate the incoming signal before retransmitting it. Repeaters are incorporated in networks to expand its coverage area. Repeaters are also known as signal boosters.

What is repeater in networking



Why are Repeaters needed ?

When the signal (electrical signal) is transmitted via a channel, it gets attenuated, depending upon the nature of transmission channel or technology. This poses a limitation upon the length of the Local Aria Network or coverage area of cellular networks. This problem is reduced by installing repeaters at certain intervals.

Repeaters amplifies the attenuated signal in network and then retransmits it . Digital repeaters can even regenerate signals distorted by transmission loss. So, repeaters are popularly incorporated to connect between two LANs ( Local Aria Network ) thus forming a large single LAN.


Types of Repeaters

as maintained by the types of signals that they regenerate, repeaters can be classified into mainly two categories

  • Analog RepeatersAnalog Repeaters can only amplify the analog signal.
  • Digital RepeatersDigital Repeaters can reconstruct a distorted signal.

According to the categories of networks which they connect, repeaters can be divided into two main categories −

  • Wired RepeatersWired Repeaters are used in wired LANs.
  • Wireless RepeatersWireless Repeaters are used in wireless LANs and cellular networks.

According to the domain of LANs Network they connect, repeaters can be categorized into two categories −

  • Local RepeatersLocal Repeaters connect LAN segments separated by small distance.
  • Remote RepeatersRemote Repeaters connect LANs that are far from each other.

Advantages of Repeaters

  • Repeaters are very-very simple to install and it can easily expand the length or the coverage area of networks.
  • Repeaters are cost effective.
  • They don’t require any processing overhead. The only time Repeaters need to be investigated is in case of debasement of performance.
  • Repeaters can connect signals using multiple types of cables.

Disadvantages of Repeaters

  • Repeaters cannot connect dissimilar networks.
  • They cannot differentiate between actual signal and noise.
  • They cannot reduce network traffic or congestion.

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