A network equipment provider is a company that makes things that help computers talk to each other. Imagine your friends want to play a game together, but they all live in different houses. They need a way to connect to each other to play the game. That's where network equipment comes in.
First, you need something called a router. This is the thing that helps your computer talk to all the other computers. It's like a super smart mailman who knows where to send all the messages. The router will also help keep out any bad guys who try to sneak in and mess things up.
Then, you need some other things called switches and hubs. These are like traffic cops that help make sure all the messages go in the right direction. They can also help make sure that everyone gets their turn to talk.
Finally, you might need some things called firewalls. These are like walls that help keep out any bad guys who are trying to get into the game. They will stop any dangerous messages from coming in, and make sure that everyone is playing safely.
All of these things, routers, switches, hubs, and firewalls, are made by network equipment providers. They are like the people who make your toys, but instead they make toys for your computers to play with.