What Does Network Adapter Mean?
A network adapter is the component of a computer’s internal hardware that is use for communicating over a network with another computer. It enables a computer to connect with another computer, server or any networking device over an local area network (LAN) connection. A network adapter can be use over a wired or wireless network.
A network adapter is usually the only component within a computer for interfacing or connecting with a network. Typically, it is built on a printed circuit board with jumpers that connect it with the computer’s motherboard.
A network adapter for wired networks has an RJ-45 port that uses twisted or untwisted pair cable for network connectivity. Wireless adapters connect with the network through a built-in or externally connected antenna. Both network adapters support popular LAN protocols, including TCP/IP.
Some of the terminologies around network adapters can be confusing. It has also historically been refer to as a Network Interface Card (NIC). Especially when it operated as an expansion plugged into a particular workstation. It may also be refer to as a network interface controller or a network card. All of these types of devices connect a computer to a network. Which is the fundamental definition of the network adapter in general.
Network adapters have many form factors – they can be a USB dongle or an ethernet jack into an RJ-45 port. They can also be an antenna using standards based on 802.11.
Network administrators and others can evaluate network adapters according to their design and speed. For example, there are full-duplex and half-duplex network adapters. As well as various designs rated by speeds from megabytes per second to gigabytes per second. Or, for cutting-edge technologies, magnitudes of order greater than the gigabyte (tera – peta – zeta – etc.)
Adapters, Modems and Routers
Another way to think about the network adapter is to contrast its role in the network to other devices. That end users sometimes confuse with the network adapter itself.
One is the modem, which typically operates as a bridge to the greater Internet. The modem (short for a modulation/demodulation device) was develop as a way to port data onto the emerging Internet through telephone lines and other infrastructure. It’s the gateway for the LAN, not a connecting piece within the LAN itself.
By contrast, the network adapter does not connect the computer directly to the Internet, but to a local area network, or more specifically, to other parts of a local area network. Some of these external network adapters popular for mobile laptop computers will look around for available networks to connect to, but typically, password security often applies. In any case, although they may connect to LANs, they’re typically connecting to a router, not directly to a modem.
Another distinct piece of hardware in the LAN is the router. Typically, as was just mention, the network adapter connects to the router, which manages LAN traffic. Again, this can be done through an ethernet cable, or wirelessly.
Technology has largely move from the external network adapters to internal wireless network adapters, many of which are built directly into the motherboard of the device. A smartphone, for instance, would never have an external network adapter the way that early personal computers did, where users plugged a USB dongle or network card into a particular port on the laptop or desktop computer. In those cases, it was often necessary to install specific drivers on an operating system, which led to its own challenges.
There are several different kinds of wireless network adapters to choose from. They include:
- PCI adapters.
- PCMCIA Adapters (or PC cards.)
- Mini PCI Adapters.
- Wireless USB Adapters.
By contrast, in advancing technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, effortless network adapter implementations have largely taken over as a common standard. With this in mind, the average end-user doesn’t have to think about a “network adapter” at all – they use the terminology and hardware of the day, a mobile device with software to connect to a LAN, and from there, to the Information Superhighway, also known as the Internet.
Types of Network Adapter
There are 2 types of network adapter – Powerline adapters and MoCA adapters. The following are the details.
Powerline Adapters
The powerline adapter is plug into the power outlet at home, and the WiFi is extend through the wires in the home. However, some users report that the network is slow or disconnected randomly when using it.
This is especially true for powerline adapters that use the old Home Plug (AV) technology. In many cases, the wires in the home are not set up for powerline Ethernet. Other problems may be that the distance between the plugs is too large, and the power cord will suffer some interference.
MoCA adapters
The MoCA adapter is another option. MoCA technology uses the existing coaxial TV wiring in people’s homes and creates an ultra-fast and reliable home network. Also known as coaxial cable Ethernet. The MoCA adapter will not interfere like a wall plug adapter or direct WiFi, so it can establish a consistent high-speed connection between the router and the access point.
How Does Network Adatper Work
The network adapter enables devices to communicate through a local area network (LAN) and connect to the Internet or other computers.
The wireless network adapter receives the signal from the computer and converts it into radio waves transmitted through the antenna. Radiofrequency signals are electromagnetic waves, which vibrate when they propagate in the air at the appropriate frequency band or frequency.
The frequency generally tends to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and 14 channels are available. The radio waves reach the router first, and then the broadband modem or internal network.
The adapter for the desktop computer is usually pre-installed. If the desktop computer does not provide a pre-installed adapter, the card can be connected to a PCMCIA slot or a mini PCI slot. Similarly, old desktop computers may allow a modified Ethernet adapter to be inserted in the PCI slot. Some electronic cards can even be inserted into the memory card port.
As another option, a USB-style Ethernet adapter can be compatible with both desktop and laptop computers, or it can be connect to an Ethernet port via an Ethernet cable.
How to Configure Network Adapter
How to configure network adapter? Here is a guide for you.
Step 1: Connect to the virtual server via RDP, and then right-click the Network Connection & Internet settings in the lower right corner of the Windows desktop to open the Network & Sharing Center.
and Step 2: In the window, select the desired interface, which does not have network access rights.
Step 3: Under the General tab, click the Details… option.
Step 4: Compare the value in the Physical Address field with the value in the MAC field on the control panel.
Step 5: If the DHСP option is enable during the network creation process on the panel, the Windows network adapter will be automatically configure. If the DHСP option is not enab during the network creation process in the panel, the configuration must be performe manually. Open the adapter properties by clicking Properties.
Step 6: Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties option.
Step 7: In the window that opens, enter the assigned address in the IP address field, and then enter the subnet mask in the Subnet Mask field. At last, save your changes.
Conclusion
Here is all information about the network adapter. I hope that this post can be helpful to you.