A network adapter or network card is an integral part of any computer connected to a network, providing communication and data transfer with other devices and access to the Internet. To understand how they work, you need to know the characteristics of the network cards.
Necessary
A computer with an internet connection and a network card
Instructions
Step 1
For identification on the network, the manufacturer assigns a serial number (MAC address) to each device. The network card, passing network traffic, looks for its own MAC address in each data packet. If found, the adapter decodes the packet. Typically, the MAC address is written as follows: 12: 34: 56: 78: 90: AB
Step 2
The bit width or bandwidth of the card determines the data transfer rate. There are 8, 16, 32, 64-bit adapters. In stationary computers, 32-bit adapters are more often used, and 64 bits are better suited for a server. The higher the bandwidth, the higher the speed of the connection and data transfer over the network. The following speed parameters are distinguished: 10, 100 and 1000 Mbps. Typical speed required for operation and used by most adapters is 100 Mb / s. But with the development of the Internet, users have a need for 1000 MB / s cards in order to have a higher connection. If the provider does not provide this speed, this card will not be of any use.
Step 3
This bus is used to exchange information between the network card and the motherboard. There are various types of interfaces: ISA, EISA, VL-Bus, PCI, CF. Modern computers mainly use the PCI interface, which supports 32 and 64-bit data exchange. USB is used to connect external network cards, and a CF slot is used to connect a laptop.
Step 4
If you plan to connect to the network using a coaxial cable (there is a thick and thin Ethernet cable), then you need a network card with a BNC connector. When used for data transmission with twisted pair, RJ45 connectors are used. These two types of connection are used most often.
Step 5
Most modern network cards are additionally equipped with a ROM chip, which offers a number of advantages. This chip provides, if necessary, the computer is booted not from a local disk, but from a network server, even if there are no disks installed on the computer, and does not affect the operation of the card itself.
Step 6
This mode determines the ability to receive and transmit data from the network card. If, for example, "100 Mb / s Full Duplex" is written in the properties of a network connection, this means that the network card operates at a speed of 100 Mb / s and can send and receive data simultaneously, unlike Half Duplex. But for the Full mode to work, it is necessary that the device with which the connection is made also supports this mode. In modern computers, for the purpose of convenience and cost reduction, network adapters are integrated into the motherboard, although external ones are often used. The network cable is installed in the corresponding connector on the network card.
