It's almost hard to imagine a computer not being connected to the Internet nowadays. We almost feel crippled if we can't check our e-mail or Facebook every hour. Network cards are used in computers to connect to other computers in a network or to connect to the Internet. Most computers today already come with a network card built in. But let's try to understand a bit more about them, should you need to purchase one.
All About Network Cards
Let's learn some of the facts about network cards:
* Network cards are also known as NIC, network interface card, or a network adapter. If you see any of these names, they are all referring to the same device.
* Newer computers already have network cards built into the motherboard. Older computers will need to buy these expansion cards and connect it to the PCI bus. (These are slots usually located on the back of the computer.)
* Laptops utilize what is called a PCMCIA network card, which serves the same purpose.
* USB network cards have become very popular because you simply place it into a USB port on either your computer or your laptop.
* You'll want an adapter that has 802.11g or 802.11n protocol. This refers to the speed of the connection. 802.11a and 802.11b have now become obsolete. The newer ones do offer backwards compatibility to connect with older networks.
** Likewise, you'll want a router that matches this speed. It almost goes without saying that you will need a wireless router if you want to gain Internet access.
* It's good to get WEP, WPA, or WPA2 encryption with your network card to protect your wireless network.
Popular Brands
It's often a good idea to get a network card that matches your wireless router. Netgear and DLinksys is another brand name that you can trust for all your Internet surfing needs. Some less popular brands include Intel, Sabrent, and Belkin.
