Node (Networking)

networking

Definition

Node (Networking)

Let $N=(V,E)$ be a computer network modelled as a directed graph.

A node is a vertex $v\in V$. It is a device capable of sending, receiving, or forwarding data across the network.

Nodes are classified by their role:

Type	Function
Host / end system	Originates or consumes data; does not forward traffic for others
Router	Forwards packets between links according to a forwarding table
Switch	Forwards frames within a single link-layer network