In the world of technological progress and global computerization, rapidly developing technologies have touched every modern user. Access to the World Wide Web is no longer limited to the use of only one computer.
Today, in every home, almost all family members, young and old, have one or more different devices with access to the network. In this case, it is very convenient to install a Wi-Fi access point and distribute a signal to any connected equipment. Modern devices such as laptops, tablets, phones have built-in Wi-Fi receivers, making them easy to connect to a network.
A network card, or network adapter, is the part of a computer that makes it interact with the network. With the exception of outdated device models, many laptops and computers are equipped with a network adapter during production. This provides the ability to connect to the internet without purchasing a separate item. But, despite the built-in adapter, you can and should purchase an additional external device, expanding the data exchange capabilities.
The network card can be integrated into the motherboard or external. Regardless of the variety, it is assigned a Mac address, through which the identification of the computer connected to the network is carried out.
Wi-Fi network card
The computer can be connected to the Internet physically using a cable connected to the network port of the PC, or wirelessly, which does not require the use of connectors.
The Wi-Fi network card causes the computer to receive a signal from the wireless network. It can be connected to the PCI slot of the motherboard or the USB port of a computer, less often to Ethernet (basically this type of connection is applicable to old devices). A Wi-Fi card plugged into the USB port of a PC or laptop is the most convenient in terms of mobility, it is easy to connect it to another device if necessary.
In addition to the connection method and appearance, there are differences in the speed and power of the adapter. Some cards are only capable of receiving signals, while others are also capable of transmitting. Adapters equipped with Soft AP function provide Wi-Fi access point creation.
The range of signal reception and transmission can be carried out both over long distances up to hundreds of meters, and limited to a small access area. As in the case of a router, there is no need to use too powerful network cards for home use, unless, of course, you are going to distribute Wi-Fi to all neighbors or pick up someone else's signal. In addition, the price will depend on the power of the model, and it is inappropriate to overpay for a card that will work in a small area. More hefty models of adapters are applicable on a large territory of offices or enterprises.
How a Wi-Fi adapter works
Access to the Internet over a wireless network is carried out thanks to the joint work of a network card and a router or modem. Wi-Fi technology works on a specific frequency range. Data exchange with the network is carried out through a router or modem, which communicates with the air by radio waves. For the computer to perceive the radio signal, a network card is used, which reads and converts the signal into an electronic one. All devices equipped with an adapter and within range of the router's transmitter will receive the received signal. To digitize the data for their recognition by the device, the adapter is equipped with a microcircuit and special software that controls the operation of the module. For the correct operation process, the necessary drivers must be installed.
Types of adapters
All adapters fall into two main categories:
External. Such network devices are connected via the USB port of a computer or laptop. They do not have a high data transfer rate, but they pleasantly compensate for this disadvantage with a price, which is why they are the most popular today. In appearance, such adapters are similar to USB drives. To get started, you need to plug the device into a free port and connect to a wireless connection.
Internal, or built-in. They are connected to the PCI connector of the motherboard. To install this type of adapter, you will have to remove the cover of the system unit. The size of the built-in network card is larger than that of the external one. This variant of the device has good bandwidth, resulting in a high data transfer rate. The price of the issue will be significantly higher than that of external adapters.
There is another, not widely used version of devices - card (Card-Bus). Adapters of this type are connected to a PC Card slot, if one is available in your computer equipment.
Wireless network cards can be connected not only to computers and laptops. A separate niche is occupied by external adapters for TVs. They can be both universal and designed for specific models. If the TV is not equipped with a Wi-Fi receiver, but has an appropriate connector, you can purchase an adapter compatible with it to connect to a network source.
Antennas for network cards
A device with an external antenna receives the signal better. Of course, the dimensions of the receiver do not always contribute to comfort, so you can choose an adapter with a detachable antenna or with a connector where you can insert it if necessary.
The antenna power when choosing a device should be appropriate for the location where you want to install the network.
The number of antennas affects the data transfer rate. Models equipped with removable antennas are very convenient in the case of a distant location of the router; if necessary, it is possible to install a more powerful structure for receiving radio waves. External antennas provide long range.
Installing and configuring a Wi-Fi adapter
Despite the significant differences in network cards by type and type of connection, they are all configured according to a similar principle.
First, you need to connect the adapter physically to the desired connector on your computer or laptop. Windows will detect new hardware. Although there will always be compatible programs in the system set of programs, for correct operation it is better to install the drivers from the disk that is attached to the network device. You can also download the necessary software from the manufacturer's official website. The exchange of data through the adapter is due to the driver, which is why it is better to install software that is suitable specifically for your device model.
After installing the Wi-Fi card, the network connection icon will appear, click on it and find the TCP / IP Internet protocol in the properties of the wireless network connection. Here you need to enter the settings of the network parameters, they need to be found out by contacting the technical support of your provider, and entered in the fields for filling. Settings can also be assigned automatically. When you have selected the desired options and access points, all that remains is to assign a Mac address to the card. This task is performed by the network administrator, to do this, call technical support and notify about the adapter change and the need to change the Mac address.
When choosing a network device, pay attention not only to the functionality, because you will not use all the capabilities of the card, and the price for a wide range of functions will increase several times. Pay attention to some factors, such as the size of your room in which the Wi-Fi network will be used, the distance between the router and the computer, and the thickness of the walls. The manufacturer also plays a significant role in the reliability of products, it is better to choose a proven, proven product quality, such on the computer equipment market in abundance. It is advisable to purchase adapters from the same manufacturer as the router or modem, thereby ensuring the best device compatibility.
Appearance of the classic adapter
Physically, the adapter is a board with microcircuits and connectors. Despite the fact that many modern models of these devices are integrated into the motherboard and, in fact, are a set of microcircuits and a connector brought out to a convenient place, they still continue to be called cards. There are also names such as network adapter and network card. The device is able to convert an electrical signal coming from a connected cable into data that a computer can understand.
How network cards work
The adapter is located at the second, link layer of the OSI model. For the operating system to know how to interact with the network card, a driver must be installed. Usually they are supplied with the device or are available on the manufacturer's official website. Many versions of Windows are able to pick up adapters installed in the system without installing additional drivers. As for Linux distributions, almost all of them are capable of working with an adapter out of the box.
What is a network card in a computer for, and how does it work? When receiving data, the card receives a set of signals, as a result of the conversion of which it receives a certain sequence of bits. Then the checksum of this piece of data is checked. If it matches, then they are placed in RAM. If not, they are discarded and an error is signaled. When transferring data to a cable, all steps are performed in reverse order. It should be noted that manufacturers of network adapters, in order to make them less expensive, shift many tasks onto the shoulders of drivers. In server solutions, network cards can have their own processor, which itself is responsible for processing, encrypting and converting signals.
A little educational program: OSI is a generally accepted model and an international standard by which protocols and devices are developed. It has 7 levels, each of which implements its own task. A short list of them looks like this: physical (cables, radio channels), channel (network cards, DSL), network (routers), transport (TCP, UDP), session (exchange and maintenance of information flows), presentation (data transformation), applied (protocols HTTP, FTP, bitTorrent).
Basic characteristics of network cards
The adapters have a lot of characteristics. But for home use, most of them are useless. Therefore, we will consider those moments that, in one way or another, significantly affect the price and scope of use:
- baud rate... Almost all modern devices, even those for 500 rubles, can support a transmission speed of 1 Gigabit. Therefore, there is no significant difference here. However, it is worth paying attention to this parameter;
- interface or connection type. This is how the network card will connect to your computer. Now the market is dominated by three types of connection: USB, PCI and PCI-E;
- number of RJ-45 connectors... If you plan to use a computer to transmit the Internet over the next link in the network, or you just need a local network, then you should take a closer look at the models that have 2 or more connectors on board;
- card profile. There is a misconception that a low profile card, or Low Profile, means that it only takes up one slot. This is not true. Low profile in network as well as video cards means board width. In simple terms, this is the height of the card above the motherboard. Although almost all network cards are low-profile, if there is not enough space inside the system unit, you need to stop at a device marked with Low Profile.
All other characteristics are not so important, and in most cases they can be neglected.
Types of network cards by connection method
Earlier we touched upon the topic of connecting adapters a little. Let's analyze it in more detail. All such devices can be divided into three large types: integrated, internal and external.
Integrated or embedded
Probably the most common type. They are chips mounted on the motherboard. Accordingly, all the necessary connectors are displayed on the rear panel. Most modern motherboards come with this type of network adapter. It is worth noting that Wi-Fi modules are also network cards for a computer, however, they are usually called that - "Wi-Fi module", of course, if it is not integrated.
Internal PCI and PCI-E NICs
These devices are separate boards that are mounted in specific connectors or buses. The most common ones are PCI and PCI-E. The first form factor is gradually becoming obsolete and giving way to PCI-E. Nevertheless, such cards can still be found on the market. PCI-E can be of various lengths. But when specifying characteristics, this parameter is usually discarded, since it is standardized.
PCI and PCI-E are easy to distinguish
It is worth mentioning the PCMCIA standard separately. This specification was developed as an add-on module and was very widely used in laptops of the past. With its help, it was possible to connect not only network cards, but also many types of other equipment. Today this standard is practically not supported.
External USB Network Cards
A relatively new trend in the adapter market. It is an external device connected to the USB port. Outwardly it looks like a USB flash drive. All microcircuits are hidden in a neat case. In the simplest case, it can have one RJ-45 connector. A very convenient and compact form of a network card.
What it looks like and where is the network card in the computer
Finding the built-in network card in your computer is not that difficult. The card that has an RJ-45 connector, a standard connector for almost all Internet providers, will be a network board. In addition, many devices are equipped with LED indicators for operation.
How to find out the network card of the computer, if it is integrated? It also has an RJ-45 connector on the back of the system unit, however, the chip itself can be soldered anywhere on the motherboard. To find it, you have to refer to the schematic map that usually comes with the motherboard.
What is a network card in a laptop? In most cases, this is a separate Wi-Fi chip and a separate Ethernet. If the first one stands out noticeably, then the second one can be a very tiny chip somewhere in the backyard of the motherboard.
How to set up a computer's network card
You need to configure the adapter based on your needs. So, in most cases, after installing and connecting the cable, it should work out of the box. Quite often, you have to change the settings for obtaining an IP address. There are two types: obtaining an address automatically and specifying manually. In most cases, the automatic option is sufficient. You can check which mode is set or change it by going to the Start Menu Control Panel.
Here you need to find the "Network and Sharing Center" and click on the link "Local Area Connection".
Current connection status window
A status window will appear, in which we are interested in the "Properties" button. In the new window that opens, select the "Internet Protocol version 4" item and click on the "Properties" button again.
Protocols require TCP / IP version 4 or 6
The next window will offer to choose the option of obtaining an IP address by setting the switch to the desired mode.
In most cases, the IP address is given automatically, so you hardly need to configure it
In a special publication, we will tell you about Wi-Fi routers. You will find out which Wi-Fi router is better, their technical characteristics, how to connect it yourself and check the prices.
What to do if the computer does not see the network card
Quite a common problem. It can be solved in different ways, depending on the situation. Let's consider solutions for integrated and internal cards. The situation when the computer does not see the card can arise for several reasons:
- the device is disabled in the BIOS;
- drivers are not installed;
- physical malfunction.
In all other situations, the card should appear in the device manager at least as an unidentified device, which will allow installing the drivers. The Onboard H / W LAN item is responsible for disabling the network card in the BIOS. It must be in Enabled mode. It is interesting that here, in the BIOS, the disconnection of the Green LAN item sometimes helps to detect the card. This is not a universal approach, since these items may be completely absent in different models of motherboards.
BIOS standard for most motherboard cards
As such, the absence of drivers will usually still detect the network adapter in Device Manager. If the card is built-in, then you will need to install the motherboard drivers for detection. If in laptops it is very easy to do this, having found the required driver package by the device model, then for stationary systems you will have to accurately determine the motherboard model and download the drivers from the official website.
ATTENTION!
Always download drivers only from the official developer sites. This will prevent viruses and malware from entering your system and use the most recent software version.
As for the physical malfunction, there is nothing you can do about it. Especially if the card is built-in. All that remains is to buy a new external or internal one.
How to choose a network card for your computer
Basically, the choice of cards for a computer comes from the range of PCI-models. You can, of course, look in the direction of USB, but why occupy an external connector in the hospital, if you can carefully install the board inside? PCI can be different too. Specifically, PCI is an earlier format for connecting various devices. PCI-E is more widespread now. Its main difference is its higher throughput. Therefore, before buying, it is advisable to find out which connectors are available on the motherboard, and based on this, choose a network device. By the way, most network cards have a PCI-E x1 slot, that is, with one lane.
In the network equipment market, brand is equally important. Now, probably, only the lazy does not release network adapters. Among the assortment you can find both well-known brands and semi-basement Chinese no-names. Naturally, the quality and reliability of work will be higher for solid and expensive cards. But you can find a middle ground by choosing an inexpensive, possibly Chinese, but factory copy. We will review popular manufacturing companies a little later.
In terms of speed, the average user is unlikely to feel the difference between Gigabit and 100 Mbps. Unless he plans to transfer large files in large quantities on the local network. With the existing technologies of Internet providers, buying a network adapter with a speed higher than 100 megabits is hardly the best solution. Network cards for a computer with Wi-Fi are more sensitive to parameters such as speed, the ability to work in multiple frequencies, and the protocols supported.
How to choose a network card for a laptop
The era of PCMCIA cards is over. It is very difficult to find such devices on the market now. Therefore, the solution for laptops is network cards with a USB connector. The only noticeable difference between the two is the USB version of the interface. Here, the higher the better. But do not forget that the port on the laptop must be the same version for full compatibility and the full potential of the device.
How to install a network card on a computer
Installing a USB adapter into your computer is very simple - plug it in and you're done. Therefore, we will consider the option of mounting the internal adapter. Before connecting the network card to the computer, you need to remove the cap on the back of the system unit opposite the corresponding PCI or PCI-E slot. Then you just need to carefully insert the device into the slot and tighten the mounting plate with the screw. Everything. Naturally, the entire operation must be carried out with the computer turned off.
Popular card makers and their products
At the mention of network cards, several manufacturers come to mind at once, the names of which are always on hearing: Intel, Tp-Link, D-Link, HP, gembird and others. Since network cards do not have special extended functionality, let's briefly go through the manufacturers and look at their devices.
Intel EXPI9301CT
Intel knows how to produce not only processors, but also network adapters and many other devices
Gigabit low profile network adapter from a reputable company. Has 1 RJ-45 connector, works with all known operating systems. Connection type - PCI-E. You can buy such a network card for a computer for 2,000 rubles.
Here's what users say about it.
Review of Intel EXPI9301CT
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/4762772/reviews?track=tabs
TP-Link TG-3468
Budget option from TP-Link
A gigabit option from the budget segment costing 500 rubles. Connection bus - PCI-E. There is 1 RJ-45 connector. Additional features include Wake-on-Lan support.
Review of TP-Link TG-3468
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/3530612/reviews?track=tabs
D-Link DUB-E100
Compact and handy device
Simple USB adapter. The maximum data transfer rate is 100 Mbps. The USB version is 2.0. Supported by all known operating systems. One connector. The adapter costs 800 rubles.
Review of D-Link DUB-E100
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/811694/reviews?track=tabs
3COM 3C905C-TX-M
Classics of network adapters
A regular 100 Mbps adapter with a PCI bus. 1 RJ-45 connector. Not all operating systems are supported. The cost of the device is 3,000 rubles.
Reviews of 3COM 3C905C-TX-M
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/804511/reviews?track=tabs
ASUS NX1101
Low profile will help save space for other indoor modules
Card from Asus at 1000 Mbps. The PCI bus is used for connection. RJ-45 connector - 1. The device costs 930 rubles.
Review of ASUS NX1101
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/968961/reviews?track=tabs
Apple MD463ZM / A
Apple has its own connection standards
A device focused on Apple products. Accordingly, instead of a USB port, it uses its own Thunderbolt interface. The data transfer rate is declared up to 1 Gigabit. The connector is 1 type RJ-45. The adapter costs 2,100 rubles.
Review of Apple MD463ZM / A
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/8356351/reviews?track=tabs
Acorp L-1000S
Simple externally and internally model
At one time, Acorp was one of the leaders in the production of network equipment, in particular, Dial-up modems. This card is a PCI 2.3 network adapter. The data transfer rate is 1 Gigabit. 1 RJ-45 port is used to connect the cable. There is a Wake-on-LAN option. The adapter costs only 370 rubles.
Review of Acorp L-1000S
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/974078/reviews?track=tabs
ST Lab U-790
You can put this model in your pocket and take it with you on the road.
Simple 1000 Mbps network adapter. Connected via USB 3.0. There is 1 RJ-45 connector for the cable. All modern systems are supported. You can buy a card for 1,500 rubles.
ST Lab U-790
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/9332263/reviews?track=tabs
Zyxel GN680-T
Zyxel, or in common people "Zuhel", is reliable and easy to operate
Gigabit PCI Card 2.3. One RJ-45 connector and Wake-on-LAN. A large list of operating systems is supported. The cost is 1,300 rubles.
Review of Zyxel GN680-T
More details on Yandex Market: https://market.yandex.ru/product/2066600/reviews?track=tabs
5Bites UA2-45-02
The model can be presented in two colors: black and white
Quite a simple and budget device. Its cost is only 400 rubles. For that kind of money, the user will receive 100 Mbit / s, a USB 2.0 interface and 1 RJ-45 port. Almost all systems are supported.
Review of 5Bites UA2-45-02
Network cards are an external device and a computer system unit are installed as an optional expansion. In general, this is reflected in the name itself. At the beginning of the conversation, PCI network cards should be mentioned. This indicates the interconnection of peripheral components. Peripheral Component Interconnect means I / O data bus. Peripherals connected to the motherboard use this bus. These cards are connected using a PCI slot. They are clearly visible in the photo below.
This PCI interface is interesting in that its peak bandwidth. It corresponds to the 32-bit version, which operates at a frequency exceeding 33 MHz and at a speed of 133 MB / second. In this case, the voltage is used up to 5 V. PCI is used to connect expansion cards, for example, a modem, video capture cards, network adapters and much more.
But what exactly can be installed there? Adapters costing about five or six dollars.
Other adapters can organize a wireless network - WI-FI.
That is, devices performing different functions can be connected to the same interface.
But gradually the popularity among developers of this interface is disappearing, and network cards are also being modernized. NICs are now Pci Express 1X form factor.
But there are also built-in network cards. They are integrated into the motherboard. If there is a hole on the back of the system unit, highlighted in the picture with a red line, then you have a built-in network card.
This is the output of the network card and we can visually verify its presence.
Signal lights
There are usually information LEDs nearby. These are located near the twisted pair connector. These diodes also indicate whether there is a network and whether there is a connection to it.
In addition, these same diodes can signal the operating state of the device. That is, if the same twisted pair or network cable is connected, then the LED will blink, and it blinks rhythmically, just like information data packets arrive.
If the AC adapter is not working, the indicators may show different signals. For example,
- the LED does not blink, while it is constantly on,
- flashes, but the rhythm is monotonous,
- does not light up at all.
You need to know about this in order to observe and notice problems in time. Not only does life consist of little things, but also the work of a computer.
Let's see how the built-in network card looks when the case cover is open. We find a familiar connector and a chip not far from it. It is soldered on the motherboard and it is it that performs the function of a network adapter.
I must say that integrated network cards are not reliable devices. They very often fail. And this happens with enviable regularity, even on new computers. Therefore, all attention is turned to the external network card.
Consider the connectors
And here's a new shot below. Look closely, this is the network card connector. Can you see the difference?
And the difference is that there are eight contact pads on one side, and only four on the other. But both cards are capable of a data transfer rate of one hundred megabits / second.
But how is that? Something is wrong here
Then take a look at the twisted pair cable we've mentioned so many times. This is a cable and with its help we have already laid the network.
If expressed correctly, this is a UTP cable. From English Unshielded Twisted Pair is translated as unshielded twisted pair. Twisted means twisted. This can be clearly seen in the photograph. Twisting the conductors allows for interference protection throughout the cable.
The veins do not have any additional braiding, and therefore the word "unshielded" appeared. And this makes the cable better protected. All the conductors that make up the cable are twisted in twos, which is why we are talking about a pair. All pairs differ in color. There is white-green - green, white-orange - orange, white-blue - blue, white-brown - brown.
But these pairs, four in number, are not used at once when transferring data at a speed of 100 megabits / second, that's all. As you guessed, the number eight appears here. But for the named speed, two pairs are enough, that is, four veins. But what kind of posting will be used is strictly defined. These are transactions numbered 1, 2, 3 and 6.
This is how the wires look in the "RJ-45" connector.
The named numbers correspond to pairs of green and orange. Of course, color plays only a symbolic role here. If you have a different color under the numbers 1,2, 3 and 6, then so be it. But the order must be strictly followed, then the speed will correspond to 100 megabits / second.
Now take another look at the connectors on the network cards. This is the photo above. Where there are only four sites, look what they are. You can easily guess that these are the first, second, third and sixth sites.
But then the question arises, why are there eight wires and when can all of them be used? Answer: They will be used at a data transfer rate of one gigabyte / second. And at higher rates, all eight wires are used.
But back to the network card. We have already said what they are, but we will talk more.
So, what are the network cards
For example, let's take a laptop network card. Its standard is PCMCIA. Since this external board will be connected to a special connector. The PCMCIA standard or Personal Computer Memory Card International Association translates as the international association of computer cards. It was first used in the production of expansion cards. Now you can connect other peripherals such as network cards, hard drives or modems.
Built-in card substitutes
If a built-in card suddenly fails in a laptop, then you do not need to bite your elbows, below in the photo you can see an excellent solution to the problem.
Or such a solution, this device will already be useful not only for a laptop, but also for a stationary PC.
These devices are called "USB network cards". Despite the decision of the external design, their essence does not change as a whole. Other examples of devices can be seen below.
It's too early to say goodbye
We could have ended at this point. But no. After all, external network cards are so diverse that it is worth talking about it later.
There is such a type of network card as a server one. It can only be used in advanced and high-performance systems. Of course, we are comparing with a regular network adapter. They still have a standard interface. This is an extended PCI-X or regular PCI.
The picture below is an example of a server network card.
You can clearly see that there are four network adapters here. But they are all in one device. And each connector has its own twelve-digit identifier, that is, the MAC address. Although the IP address for the entire group of adapters can be assigned one. And the operating system treats this group of cards as a whole.
What is a MAC address? This, Media Access Control - translates as media access control. The address is always unique and, of course, there cannot be two identical addresses.
Port Aggregation is not easy and is possible thanks to Port Aggregation technology. The name also denotes the union. And this means that several network segments can be combined into one. This increases productivity. Well, and accordingly, when all network pots are combined into one, then we are talking about the performance of one, that is, a single port. And its power is equal to the number multiplied by the number of these ports.
There are two modes for the server network cards. Let's get to know them now. Each card comes with software. With its help, each of the present ports can be made active or standby.
There is also a mode when network traffic is evenly distributed to active segments. This is a distribution mode and can reduce the overall load on the adapter. In recovery mode, when the link suddenly disappears, it re-establishes. That is, the mode ensures uninterrupted communication between the network and the card.
Is it convenient to use the server card on a computer?
It all depends on how complex your PC is. If there are a lot of "bells and whistles", then, in order not to load the central processor, the server card can take on some of the functions, for example, to count the sums of data frames. This data is transmitted over the network. It can also generate data.
Any modern computing system is a complex of interacting devices, each of which performs some specific functions. For example, a video card is designed to generate signals that are converted by the monitor into an image; sound - for audio output; network card - for connecting several computer systems, etc.
All of them, being collected into a single system, form a computer. That is why it is so important to understand the features of the devices, to know their main characteristics. The topic of today's article is the network card.
Currently, the market offers several modifications of such devices, which differ from each other by the manufacturer, the used communication chip, the maximum operating speed, the method of connection to the computer motherboard and the data transmission medium. Let's consider each moment in more detail.
Manufacturer
There are several companies that manufacture such devices. When choosing, you should pay special attention to the chip used - it is its characteristics that determine the capabilities that are realized. These can be products from Realtek, Intel, Qualcomm, i.e. all those who are directly involved in production
Despite the fact that the main task of the devices is the same, the "firewood" for the network card (the program in the operating system that controls the work) from different manufacturers may have different additional capabilities. For example, intelligent power management, how the wake-up command is handled, and frame sizing are not present in all solutions, and the implementation may differ. If the network card must support specific capabilities, then the choice must be approached only thoroughly prepared. For ordinary users, any network card is suitable, the main thing is that the speed matches and the transmission principle is suitable.
In addition, the cost of functionally identical solutions largely depends on the manufacturer. When buying products from a renowned developer, you often have to overpay "for the name". It is believed that these models have higher reliability than budget models. This is partly true. At the same time, a D-Link network card (as well as from any other manufacturer) can be purchased for a different amount. The reasons for this will be indicated below.
Hardware capabilities
In order to process the digital data stream in a certain way, the network card performs a fairly large amount of calculations - it generates packets in accordance with standards, controls reception / transmission, etc.
And for this, the resources of the central processor core are used. That is why, with a large amount of transmitted data, a general slowdown can be observed. To solve this feature, the chips in some models of network cards are able to independently process the data stream without using it. This is called hardware processing. It can be complete or partial. Thus, for organizing a simple network, an inexpensive program-controlled card is suitable, but for more complex nodes it is recommended to pay attention to more advanced models.
Speed
Performance is one of the key characteristics of these devices. According to the standard, cards can support 10, 100, and 1000 megabits per second. All modern solutions in which an RJ-45 connector is used to connect a cable are compatible with each other, that is, the same cable can be used to connect models with 10 and 1000 Mbps. In this case, the protocols will be automatically reconfigured to a lower speed. Thus, if it is necessary to connect two computers in a 1 Gbit network, then, having the necessary cable and cards, this can be easily done. However, if there is an intermediate element between them, for example, a 100 Mbit switch, then the overall speed will be limited to it.
Wednesday
For cable can be used as well as radio frequency. Cards using the latter solution most often work over the Wi-Fi standard. They are very popular nowadays as networking is much easier. The transmission speed when using the radio channel does not exceed 300 Megabits.
To begin with, you should know that there are 2 types of network adapters, built-in and discrete (coming as a separate module). The advantage of these is independence from the motherboard, which allows you not to spend extra money in the event of a computer repair.
As some users recommend, in order to buy a good adapter, it is enough to take a well-known brand, you should not even pay attention to little-known ones. But there are still a few tricks that will make the purchase in vain. We will talk about these further.
What is a network adapter or network controller?
A network adapter is an additional device with the help of which computers organize a high-speed wired channel to the Internet. Like devices, the adapter is controlled by an OS driver, which allows customization of functions.
Nowadays, every computer or laptop is equipped with a built-in adapter, which allows you not to select these devices separately if you want to pick up a computer.
There are also wireless adapters or WiFi adapters specially made to receive a wireless signal from a router or any device that broadcasts the Internet. Such devices are connected to USB or PCI. At the same time, they have significant bandwidth limitations. At least this is true for the old USB 2.0 interface - its limitation is 12 Mbit / s. Therefore, it is worth considering the choice of a USB-network adapter only as a last resort, when there are no longer any options to organize a connection to the network.
For those who do not want to delve into all the nuances and features, and study the characteristics of devices, we have prepared ratings of popular network cards based on user reviews.
But we still recommend that you read the article to form your own opinion and choose devices based on the parameters you need.
PCI Network Adapters for Desktop
USB to ethernet adapters for laptops
Basic characteristics of network cards
Network cards are characterized by the following properties:
What are the network cards by the connection method?
- 1. PCI
- A common type of network card that is standard on most computers. By themselves, they are reliable and better than the built-in cards.
- The abbreviation stands for (PeripheralComponentInterconnect), or in Russian: the interconnection of peripheral components.
Connect directly to the motherboard.
Network adapter speed
The speed of the Internet does not completely depend on the one provided to you by the provider. It is important what network adapter you have and how the device is connected to the Internet.
So, if your Internet is connected directly via a twisted pair cable, then the default settings are set to a speed of 10 Mbit / s.
If you have connected yourself to the Internet at high speed, and your computer is old and you have not purchased an external network adapter for yourself, then you will notice the standard 10 Mbps. In order not to darken your mood and not pay big money for not fast Internet, you need to adjust the speed in the settings for the network connection, but first you have to buy a network adapter with good bandwidth, since the old built-in one may not be designed for such speeds.
Which network card to choose for a laptop?
Note that it's best not to choose an embedded network card for your laptop if you don't understand it. For a laptop, choosing this is more difficult due to the nature of the portable connectors. In this case, it is easier to give the laptop to knowledgeable people who will do everything for you. 
If you do not want to spend money on repairs or look for a good master, then use a USB card as an option. As the name implies, connect to the USB connector, connect the twisted pair to the card, configure and you're done! But the catch is that then the laptop cannot be connected to WiFI in any way.
Which network card should I choose for my computer?
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when choosing cards:
- Don't buy little-known brands. If you have no difference to the manufacturer or characteristics, it is enough to purchase a product of a well-known company, then the chance to make a mistake with the purchase is minimal;
- Check compatibility withPCI bus. Find out how the computer device is made. And it is important to know what connection options exist, otherwise it might happen that the card is incompatible with the bus.
Otherwise, there are no differences. The main thing to know is that the PCI card has an advantage over the built-in one, due to the fact that due to the breakdown of the latter, you will have to tinker, besides, the malfunction will damage the motherboard. This will not happen with PCI, it will take a hit and the replacement will be easy. 
