CAVSI - Technical Questions & Answers

A network card is also called an Ethernet card, Network Adapter, Network Interface Card, or NIC. A network card acts as the interface between a computer and the rest of the devices that form the network. The purpose of the network card is to prepare, send, and control data on the network.

A network card usually has two indicator lights (LEDs):...

Ethernet cards are also known as network interface cards or network adapters. Ethernet cards are available in several forms:

• ISA cards were the first standard for PCs, requiring users to open their computer case for installation.
  
• PCI installed inside desktop computers is usually installed by the manufacturer.
  
• PCMCIA Ethernet cards are readily available for laptops and other mobile computers. These are inserted conveniently into slots on the side or front of the device.
• External USB Ethernet adapters are an alternative to PCI cards for desktop computers and are also commonly used with video game consoles and other consumer devices lacking PCMCIA slots.

An Ethernet card does not directly support Wi-Fi wireless networking, but home network broadband routers contain the necessary technology to allow Ethernet devices to communicate with Wi-Fi devices through the router....

The primary function of a network interface card is to provide a physical link to a computer network. A network card is a physical interface between the computer and the network cable. It converts the data sent by the computer into a form that can be used by the network cable, transfers that data to another computer, and controls the data flow between the computer and the cable.

This connection allows computers to communicate with servers, as well as other computers on the network. It also translates the data coming from the cable into bytes so that the computer’s CPU can read it....

Network adapters can normally be enabled or disabled through their software.  When a network connection suddenly stops functioning, disabling, and re-enabling it can repair the problem.  Disabling an adapter provides a convenient alternative to installing and uninstalling it.

1. Open Network Connections by clicking the Start button >Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Manage network connections.
2. Right-click the network adapter, and then do one of the following:

• To disable the network adapter, select Disable.
• To enable the network adapter, select Enable.

If you disable the adapter, you must enable it again to connect to a network....

Most laptops have wireless networking built-in. But if you need to install a wireless network adapter, check out the below instructions:...

A network adapter card is required to connect a computer to a network or the Internet. Most computers have wireless networking built-in. Older computers may need to have a network adapter added to them before using them on a network. USB Network adapters can come in different models.

To install a USB Network Adapter, proceed as follows:...

A PCI wireless adapter card connects to a desktop computer’s PCI bus contained inside the computer:...

Some old desk computers may need a network adapter added to them before being able to access a network. To install an Internal Network Adapter follow the below steps:...

First, if a Network Adapter has been installed and set up properly on a computer, this will have Internet access. For computers running Windows open the Windows Device Manager.

Device Manager can be accessed from the Hardware tab of the System Properties section of the Windows Control Panel....

You may determine whether a computer already possesses a network adapter by looking for an RJ-45 jack on the back of the computer. The RJ-45 jack appears like a phone line jack but is slightly larger.

In notebook computers, look for a thin, removable metal device the size of a credit card, but thicker....

A network adapter interfaces a computer to a network. It is typically a small unit of hardware and can be found in different forms as:

• PCI adapters fit inside a desktop personal computer often simply called NIC.
  
• PCMCIA adapters, also known as “credit card” or “PC Card” adapters. They are inserted into the side of a notebook computer.
  
• USB adapters are plugged into a standard USB port of any computer.
• Media adapters connect to the Ethernet port of an Xbox or PlayStation game console or other home entertainment product, providing a bridge to Wi-Fi wireless capability.
• Wireless network adapter chips are usually found in newer computers.

...