| A network adapter, also known as LAN adapter helps | | | | utilized to connect the computers to the network by |
| computers over a computer network to communicate | | | | way of running an Ethernet cable with the assistance |
| with each other. It is hard to imagine a computer | | | | of router to the LAN adapter. Sometimes, LAN |
| without having a network card installed wireless or not. | | | | adapters can also be noted as wireless network |
| The main purpose of the network card is to | | | | adapters. |
| communicate with the network router. When this | | | | As far as their physical properties are concerned, LAN |
| hardware component is missing from a computer | | | | adapters look akin to a memory stick or thumb drive. |
| network adapters can surrogate for an internal | | | | They are easily recognized with a small USB dongle |
| network card. LAN adapter are made from two basic | | | | that contains a LED light which signifies power and |
| types of networks viz., wired and wireless. | | | | active status. There are various types of network |
| Now-a-days wireless adapters are the talk of the | | | | adapters' viz., traditional types of adapters are known |
| town. However, network adapters are an effective | | | | as PCI adapters, newer type of adapters are |
| way to advance your business's current network | | | | sometime called PCMCIA cards they are employed |
| communications. LAN adapters can be called a | | | | into the side of a notebook computer. Other adapters |
| crossing point of a computer to a network. It was the | | | | include USB adapters and media adapters. Each |
| Ethernet add-in cards for PCs which helped in | | | | general adapter supports wireless (Wi-Fi) or wired |
| popularizing the term "adapter". Network adapters are | | | | standard (wired). |
| small USB dongles which, are made for a wired | | | | Most of the contemporary laptop computers have a |
| connection that characterizes an Ethernet port. | | | | built-in wireless network card which contains faster |
| Ethernet cabling on the other hand connects | | | | protocol; the current standard used is 802.11n. Some of |
| computers via wired networks through RJ45 Ethernet | | | | the manufacturers of LAN adapters include: 3COM, |
| port which resembles a standard RJ11 telephone jack | | | | Adaptec, ADIC ADS, Allied, AOpen, APC, Apple, Axis |
| on steroids. The LAN adapter usually comes with | | | | Communications, Belkin, Buslink, Buffalo, Cables To Go, |
| software, but today the feature rich operating systems | | | | Canon, Check Point, Avocent, Creative Labs , Asus, |
| instantaneously recognize USB network adapters and | | | | D-Link, Data Robotics, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Lexmark, |
| apply the correct drivers when they are detected. On | | | | Linksys, Intel, Interlink Electronics, Emulex, Enterasys etc. |
| recognition, the external network adapters can be | | | | |