Ethernet Card
The system that helps connect a computer to an Ethernet network is called an Ethernet card. Another name for such a card is Network Interface Card (NIC). It can be inserted into one of the slots provided on the motherboard of the computer. Each of these cards has a unique identification number, known as the MAC address.
Ever since their inception by the Xerox Company, Ethernet cards have managed to find their way into nearly every single computer in the world.
The Ethernet Card – An Easier Alternative for Data Transfer
The Ethernet card was created to build a Local Area Network (LAN). Once Ethernet cable is connected to the Ethernet cards of two or more computers over the LAN, one can transfer files and data. This can be carried out for external hardware such as printers and scanners when information from one computer needs to be transferred to another computer.
Since technology has advanced greatly, there are wireless Ethernet cards also available, which make use of radio waves for data transmission. In case such connections are used, there will be a small antenna for transmitting data and carrying out requests from one machine to the other. These are prone to security breaches and so information security systems need to be kept up to date in computers that use them.
These days most of the computers come with built in Ethernet cards, and unless specified one need not install them. Driver software is required for the card to work, which should be installed before the card can be used. An Ethernet card is hundreds of times faster than a modem and is ideal in an environment where two or more computers need to be interlinked.
Related Articles on Ethernet Technology
- What is Ethernet?
- Understanding Ethernet
- Ethernet at the Data Link Layer
- Ethernet at Physical Layer
- Understanding Ethernet Networking
- Understanding Ethernet LAN Segmentation
- What is an Ethernet Card?
- What is an Ethernet Hub?
- What is an Ethernet Switch?
- Ethernet Cable
- Ethernet Cabling
- What Is the Ethernet Cable Pinout?
- What is a USB to Ethernet adapter?
- What is Power over Ethernet?
- What is an Ethernet crossover cable?
- Ethernet Cross Over Cable
|
|
- Network Card
A network card is an expansion card that installs into a computer and enables that computer to physically connect to a local area network. The most common form of network card in current use is the Ethernet card. Other types of network cards include wireless network cards and Token Ring network cards. Ethernet network cards [...]...
- Ethernet Cable
This Ethernet cable can be used to connect a network interface card (NIC) to an Ethernet switch or hub. They transmit data using the Ethernet protocol. Ethernet cables have RJ-45 jacks on both ends, each with 8 pins (They look similar to telephone jacks, which use 4 pins or 6 pins). Equipment using an Ethernet [...]...
- Ethernet Crossover Cable
An Ethernet crossover cable can be used to directly connect two network devices through Ethernet. These can either be single computers or they can be networks. Ethernet crossover cables are commonly used for temporarily networking two devices in the absence of a network router, switch, or hub. The principle is the same, but the connection [...]...
- Ethernet Hub
For any two devices to be connected, they need a common place, or a hub, as it is called in the computer world. It basically connects multiple computers together. Most of the hubs available in the market today support Ethernet standards. This is why they are called Ethernet hubs, and are most commonly used in [...]...
- Power over Ethernet
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a system that provides a constant supply of DC power to a computer network using the same Ethernet cables used for connectivity. Devices such as network cameras and IP telephones can hence be powered without the need for extra wiring. PoE is easy to maintain and requires little or no [...]...