I've been interested in networking lately.
Could anybody explain what these pieces of hardware are?
Router
Hub
Switch
Server

Router: A router is what you use for your wireless card to connect to your modem

Hub: What you use to insert multiple devices

Switch: Not sure about all types of hardware. But I do know what a light switch is

Server: It's used usually to store files and databases. It's also what you need to create a website.

~Sean

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Here's another explanation:

Router: A router is a small "box" that takes the Internet signal from a Modem and allows you to split it to usually 4 Computers. There are also Wireless Routers which allows you to (with a wireless card, a card that is either built into or plugged into a computer) receive an Internet signal and get Internet on your computer without any wires. Routers usually introduce a hardware firewall to block any incoming attacks and help make your Network securer.

Modem: A modem is a small box takes a signal from either a Phone Line (DSL) or a "TV" Cable (Cable) and separates the Phone/TV signal from the Internet signal. It can then either send the signal to a router (with an "Ethernet Cable") or to (usually) 1 computer (also through an Ethernet Cable).

Hub: A very small box or card that is plugged into 1 port and then gives you more ports of that signal (eg. a USB Port, which a single USB cable gets plugged into a USB Port, and the hub contains 2 or more ports.

Switch: A switch is a (usually) small device that can change the flow of a circuit. Take a light switch, when put in the "On" position, it allows electricity to be sent to a Light Bulb, when set to "Off", it stops electricity from going to the Light Bulb.

Server: Basically a computer that is always hooked up to a (more often than not) very fast Internet connection. It is used to store files or files that make up website that can then be publicly accessed through a domain which is "pointed" to a "name server" which is "attached" to the IP address assigned to the server. Hardware installed in servers is usually much better then the hardware in the average computer, mainly because servers work hard almost all the time and need to be fast.

For more technical and detailed information on these things, check out this articles:

Router - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Modem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ethernet hub - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
USB hub - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Switch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Web server - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Thank You very much for explaining those things to me!

A switch's role on a network is different in electronics. See the wiki page for all the info.

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Thanks,
Ash
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a switch is basicly a router without wireless capability. thats how i explain it to my customers. and depending on the type of switch you may or may not be able to use it with your modem. i have one at the office that i use for uploading things from 1 computer to another and it canot connect to the internet.

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Um, that's not true. I understand the need for simplicity and brevity when dealing with customers/people who don't REALLY need to know the difference, but they asked specifically what each component is for. Besides, since when does a router have to offer wireless connectivity? A router is just that--something that routes network traffic efficiently/intelligently, assigns IP addresses (via DHCP server, or MAC filtering, etc.) etc.--A switch is quite different (well, to an extent--I mean, they're all relatively similar), and it works off of different protocols for assigning network traffic, etc. I mean, if you just plugged in your data line to a switch, you will not be assigned an IP address, and likely not have access to the internet (or at least you should not be able to).

Aspire3000--here's a good place to start reading up--better than Wikipedia regarding this material: Switch - Definition of Network Switch

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Really if you are talking a home network there is no reason for a switch. A router and a server if needed is just about all you will need depending on how you are going to hook up the other computers to the router if wireless you need wireless adapters for each computer. and if wired you need some cat 5e networking cable and some various brackets and tubing to run the wires through out the house. if you dont want to get dirty go wireless but the connect speed to the router is going to more than likely be 54mbps or less depending on the computers and the setup. wired takes a little longer but to me it's worth the time it has much more reliability and the connect speed to the router is 100mbps and can even hit 1000 if you have the correct router and motherboard or networking card.

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RGDP

True--for a regular home network, a switch really isn't necessary. But if you have a large(r) network and want to expand it but ran out of ports on the router, the easiest way is to use a switch (as opposed to a hub due to bandwidth handling on the switch being more efficient than on a hub).

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2x1GB OCZ Spec. Ops. PC3200
ASRock Dual939-SATA2
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80 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
300 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
120 GB Maxtor ATA/133 7200 rpm
ATI Radeon x1950 Pro