A network
adapter allows an electronic device to interface with a local computer network.
Types of Network Adapters
A network
adapter is a unit of computer hardware. Several types of hardware adapters
exist:
Ÿ Many new computers contain integrated (built in) wireless network
adapter chips
Ÿ A USB network adapter plugs into a standard USB port to enable
computer network connections (typically Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
Ÿ A wireless game adapter (sometimes called a "media
adapter") connects to an Xbox or Playstation game console or other home
entertainment product, providing a bridge to Wi-Fi wireless capability.
Ÿ On older PCs,a PCI adapter (often called a NIC) was a type of add-in
card installed inside a desktop personal computer. A variant PCI adapter called
"PC Card" (also known as PCMCIA cards) inserted into the side of a
notebook computer to provide similar capability.
Adapters are a
required component to include when building a network. Every common adapter
supports either Wi-Fi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired) standards. Special-purpose
adapters that support very specialized network protocols also exist, but these
are not found in homes or most business networks.
Determine Whether a Network Adapter Is Present
Newer computers
often include a network adapter when sold. Determine whether a computer already
possesses a network adapter as follows:
Ÿ In desktop computers. look for an RJ-45 jack on the back of the
computer. The RJ-45 jack appears similar to a phone line jack but is slightly
larger.
Ÿ In notebook computers, look for a thin, removable metal device
roughly the size of credit card, but thicker.
Ÿ For notebook computers running Windows that may contain integrated
adapter chips, open the Windows Device Manager. Device Manager can be accessed
from the Hardware tab of the System Properties section of Windows Control Panel
Ÿ In any type of computing device, look for a small external device
with LED lights connected to a USB port
Purchasing a Network Adapter
A network
adapter can be purchased separately from most manufacturers that supply routers
and other forms of networking equipment. When purchasing a network adapter,
some prefer to choose the brand of adapter that matches their router. To
accommodate this, manufacturers sometimes sell one or two network adapters
together with a router in a bundle called a home network kit. Technically,
however, network adapters all offer very similar functionality according to the
Ethernet or Wi-Fi standard they support.
Installing a Network Adapter
Installing any
network adapter hardware involves two steps:
1.
Connecting the adapter hardware
to the computer
2.
Installing any required
software associated with the adapter
For PCI
adapters, first power down the computer and unplug its power cord before
proceeding with the installation. A PCI adapter is a card that fits into a
long, narrow slot inside the computer. The computer's case must be opened and
the card firmly inserted into this slot.
Other types of
network adapter devices can be attached while a computer is running normally.
Modern computer
operating systems automatically detect newly connected hardware and complete
the basic software installation required.
Some network
adapters, however, additionally require custom software installation. Such an
adapter will often be accompanied by a CD-ROM containing the installation
media. Alternatively, the necessary software can be downloaded for free from
the manufacturer's Web site.
Software
installed with a network adapter includes a device driver that allows the
operating system to communicate with the hardware. In addition, a software
management utility may also be supplied that provides a user interface for
advanced configuration and troubleshooting of the hardware.
These utilities
are most commonly associated with Wi-Fi wireless network adapters.
Network adapters
can normally be disabled through their software. Disabling an adapter provides
a convenient alternative to installing and uninstalling it. Wireless network
adapters are best disabled when not in use, for security reasons.
Virtual Network Adapters
Certain types of
network adapters have no hardware component but rather consist of software
only. These are often called virtual adapters in contrast to a physical
adapter. Virtual adapters are commonly found in virtual private networks
(VPNs). A virtual adapter may also be used with research computers or IT
servers that run virtual machine technology.
Summary
The network
adapter is an essential component in both wired and wireless computer
networking. Adapters interface a computing device (including computers, print
servers, and game consoles) to the communication network. Most network adapters
are small pieces of physical hardware, although software-only virtual adapters
also exist. Sometimes a network adapter must be purchased separately, but often
the adapter is built into a computing device, especially newer devices.
Installing a network adapter is not difficult and often is a simple "plug
and play" feature of the computer operating system.
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