What does 'Network Adapter' mean?

A network adapter, also known as a network interface card (NIC), is a hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network. It is generally installed in a computer’s motherboard and has a network cable plugged into it, which is then connected to a router or a network switch.

The network adapter is responsible for sending and receiving data over the network and is an essential component of any computer that needs to be connected to a network.

It may be a wired adapter, in which case it uses an Ethernet cable to connect to the network, or a wireless adapter, in which case it uses radio waves to connect to a wireless network.

Network adapters are used in a variety of applications, including home networking, business networking, and internet connectivity.

They are typically used to connect computers to the internet, to share files and resources between computers on a local network, and to connect to other devices such as printers and servers.

Ethernet cables

The RJ-45 port is a type of connector commonly used for Ethernet cables, which are used to connect computers and other devices to a network. The Ethernet cables used with an RJ-45 port are usually made of twisted pair wire, which helps to reduce interference and improve the quality of the signal.

Twisted-pair cable is a type of copper wire that consists of two insulated copper wires that are twisted together. The twisting helps to reduce interference from other electrical devices and allows the wire to transmit data over longer distances without losing signal strength.

Untwisted pair cable, on the other hand, is a type of copper wire that consists of two insulated copper wires that are not twisted together. It is more often than not used for shorter distances and is not as resistant to interference as twisted-pair cable.

Both types of cable can be used with an RJ-45 port and a network adapter, but twisted pair cable is generally considered to be more reliable and is the more common choice for wired networking.

More information

Here is a list of some common types of network adapters:

• Ethernet adapters: These are the most common type of network adapter and are used to connect a computer to a local area network (LAN) using an Ethernet cable. Ethernet adapters can be either wired or wireless and are in general installed in a computer’s motherboard.
• Wireless adapters: These adapters allow a computer to connect to a wireless network using radio waves. They are often used in laptops and other portable devices that do not have a built-in Ethernet port.
• USB adapters: These adapters can be plugged into a computer’s USB port and are used to add networking capabilities to a computer that does not have a built-in Ethernet port.
• Bluetooth adapters: These adapters allow a computer to connect to other devices using Bluetooth technology, which is a wireless communication standard.
• Fibre optic adapters: These adapters use fiber optic cables to transmit data and are typically used in high-speed networking applications.
• Token ring adapters: These adapters are used to connect computers to a token ring network, which is a type of LAN that uses a token-passing protocol to transmit data.
• Modem adapters: These adapters are used to connect a computer to the internet via a telephone line. They are commonly used in dial-up internet connections.
• ISDN adapters: These adapters are used to connect a computer to the internet via an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) connection.
• DSL adapters: These adapters are used to connect a computer to the internet via a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection.
• Cable modem adapters: These adapters are used to connect a computer to the internet via a cable television line.