The Internet appeared recently, but already certain terms, such as a router, gateway, network adapter, have managed to "grow". All these names refer to methods and Internet connection types, and sometimes have the same meaning.
most common
AC adapter network card or adapter - means output to the network. It acts as a transmitter between the power cord and the computer system.
There are many types of network cards, but they have the same function. First, they send and receive packet embedded data. They are composed of buffer memory and communicate through the memory of the computer adapter. In addition, Internet maps encode or (depending on whether the information is received or transmitted) decode information using a parallel or series code.
Network adapters are divided into three types by their method of integration: external, internal and built-in. A built-in adapter to include the motherboard part. The connector connects the power cord, and the processing data chip is located
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The AC adapter has either a continuous PCB, and additional built-in implemented adapter features by the CPU. This card is equipped with almost all motherboards.
Internal play - a chip not installed in the system unit. It is connected through the connectors of the motherboard, PCI, to PCIe or ISA. The network card is external type written in a plastic casing and connected to the system via USB-interface. This type of card is used where there is no built-in or an internal adapter, or it is damaged.
More recently, access to the Internet card network was not the only way. Gradually, however, this device has been supplanted by wireless communication. One of them is a wireless network adapter (or Wi-Fi). In fact, Wi-Fi - an antenna allows you to connect to the "broadcast" network. This adapter is also integrated into the external and internal. Built-in Wi-Fi is integrated into the motherboard. Domestics are often "hybrids."
Wireless network adapter antenna and a network card. The external Wi-Fi adapter is the same as the currently fashionable 3G modem. They will feature an antenna - either built in or foreign - the latter has a much higher speed.
The network card is distinguished not only by the integration process, but also in its capabilities. Some adapters have a socket for installing their own software. Other different sound lengths are the presence of system buses or additional ports. There is an internet card equipped with RAM and LEDs. In addition, there are different types of network adapters, which vary according to the computer system and the operating mode of interaction. The card can interact with the system via the control bus and via direct memory access. Operating these devices are divided into two types of image display: a rotating input / output, and shared memory.
From this feature, the speed of the Internet depends on the card. Network adapters have these features to provide a very fast and comfortable access to at least half of the network.