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 using only one computer.
A network card, or network adapter, is an integral part of a computer that determines its interaction 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 With the exception of outdated device models, many laptops and computers are equipped with a network adapter during production.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 buying a single item. But, despite the built-in adapter, it is possible and necessary to purchase an additional external device, expanding the possibilities of data exchange.
The network card can be integrated into the motherboard or external. Regardless of the variety, it is assigned a Mac address, which is used to identify a computer connected to the network.
Wi-Fi network card
The computer can be connected to the Internet in a physical way using a cable connected to the network port of the PC, or wirelessly, for which the use of connectors is not required.
A Wi-Fi network card causes the computer to receive a signal from the wireless network. It can be connected to the PCI connector of a motherboard or a USB port of a computer, less often to Ethernet (basically, this type of connection is applicable to older devices). The Wi-Fi card connected to the USB port of a PC or laptop is most convenient in terms of mobility, it is easy to connect it to another device if necessary.
In addition to the method of connection and appearance, there are differences in the speed, power adapter. Some cards can only receive signals, while others can transmit. Adapters equipped with Soft AP provide Wi-Fi hotspot creation.
The range of reception and transmission of a signal can be carried out both over long distances up to hundreds of meters, and limited to a small access zone. As in the case of a router, there is no need to use too powerful network cards for home use, unless you are going to distribute Wi-Fi to all your neighbors or adopt someone else’s signal. In addition, the price of the model will also depend on the power, and it is impractical to overpay for a card that will work in a small area. More than hefty models of adapters are applicable in a large area of offices or enterprises.
The principle of the Wi-Fi-adapter
Access to the Internet via a wireless network is provided by the joint operation of a network card and a router or modem. Wi-Fi technology works on a certain frequency range. Data exchange with the network is carried out by means of a router or a modem, which communicates with the ether by radio waves. For computer perception of the radio signal is a network card that reads and converts the signal into electronic. All devices equipped with an adapter and located within the range of the transmitter of the router will receive the incoming signal. In order to digitize data for recognition by the device, the adapter is equipped with a microcircuit and special software that guides the operation of the module. For the correct operation process, the necessary drivers are necessarily installed.
Types of adapters
All adapters are divided into two main categories:
- External. Connect such network devices through 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 the price, which is why they are the most popular today. In appearance, these adapters are similar to USB drives. To get started, you need to insert the device into a free port and connect to a wireless connection.
External Wi-Fi adapter
- Internal, or embedded. Connect to the PCI connector of the motherboard. To install this type of adapter 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 version of the device has a good bandwidth, causing a high data transfer rate. The price of the issue will be significantly higher than that of external adapters.
Internal Wi-Fi adapter
There is another, not received a large distribution of devices - card (Card-Bus). These types of adapters are connected to the PC Card slot, if available on your computer.
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 a corresponding connector, you can purchase an adapter compatible with it to connect to the network source.
Network card antennas
A device equipped with an external antenna receives the signal better. Of course, not always the dimensions of the receiver contribute to comfort, so you can choose an adapter with a removable antenna or connector, where you can insert it if necessary.
Network card antenna
Antenna power when choosing a device must meet the conditions of the location where you want to establish a network.
The number of antennas affects the speed of information transfer. Models equipped with removable antennas are very convenient in the case of long-range location of the router, if necessary, it is possible to install a more powerful radio wave reception design. External antennas provide greater range.
Installing and configuring a Wi-Fi adapter
Despite the significant differences between network cards by type and type of connection, they are all configured according to a similar principle.
Installing a Wi-Fi network card
First you need to connect the adapter physically to the right connector on your computer or laptop. Windows will detect new hardware. Although there are always compatible programs in the system set of programs, it is better to install the drivers from the disk attached to the network device to work correctly. You can also download the necessary software from the official website of the manufacturer. Data exchange through the adapter occurs 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 in the properties of the wireless network connection find the TCP / IP Internet protocol. Here you need to enter the network settings, you need to find out by contacting your provider’s technical support, and enter them in the fields. Settings can also be assigned automatically. When you have chosen the necessary parameters and access points, it remains to assign the card a Mac address. This task is performed by the network administrator. To do this, call technical support and notify you about the change of the adapter 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 features 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, which will use the Wi-Fi network, the distance between the router and the computer, the thickness of the walls. A significant role in the reliability of products and plays the manufacturer, it is better to choose a proven, proven quality products, such as in the market for computer equipment with an excess. It is advisable to purchase adapters of the same manufacturer as the router or modem, thereby ensuring the best compatibility of devices.