Networking and cabling.docx
- 1. Expansion card Updated: 12/05/2021 by Computer Hope Alternatively called an adapter card, add-on card, expansion board, internal card, interface adapter, or card, an expansion card is a PCB that fits into an expansion slot on the motherboard. An expansion card is an internal card that gives a computer additional capabilities, such as enhanced video performance via a graphics card. Note Expansion cards can sometimes be called daughterboards. However, it is more appropriate to refer to them as expansion cards or one of the terms mentioned earlier. Types of expansion cards in a computer Interface card (ATA, Bluetooth, EIDE, FireWire, IDE, parallel, RAID, SCSI, serial, and USB). MIDI Modem MPEG decoder Network card Sound card Tuner card Video capture card Video card Tip The above devices are available as expansion cards and can also be onboard the motherboard.
- 2. Tip See our expansion slot page for a listing of the slots these cards can use. Expansion card example Below is a graphic illustration of an ISA Modem expansion card (click the picture to get a descriptive over. As seen in the picture, an expansion card has two main parts, the gold plated connector that connects to a motherboard expansion slot and the connector plate. The back metal plate often has connections that allow an outside device to communicate with the card and computer. In this example, the modem has two RJ-11 jacks that allow it to communicate over a phone line. Do laptops or netbooks have expansion cards? Laptops, netbooks, and other mobile computers do not have expansion cards like what was explained above. However, some laptops can
- 3. have PC Cards that can be inserted into the side of the laptop. They may also have a Cardbus slot for an ExpressCard to be added. What is network interface card (NIC)? A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component without which a computer cannot be connected over a network. It is a circuit board installed in a computer that provides a dedicated network connection to the computer. It is also called network interface controller, network adapter or LAN adapter. Purpose NIC allows both wired and wireless communications. NIC allows communications between computers connected via local area network (LAN) as well as communications over large-scale network through Internet Protocol (IP). NIC is both a physical layer and a data link layer device, i.e. it provides the necessary hardware circuitry so that the physical layer processes and some data link layer processes can run on it. Types of NIC Cards NIC cards are of two types − Internal Network Cards In internal networks cards, motherboard has a slot for the network card where it can be inserted. It requires network cables to provide network access. Internal network cards are of two types. The first type uses Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) connection, while the second type uses Industry Standard Architecture (ISA).
- 4. External Network Cards In desktops and laptops that do not have an internal NIC, external NICs are used. External network cards are of two types: Wireless and USB based. Wireless network card needs to be inserted into the motherboard, however no network cable is required to connect to the network. They are useful while traveling or accessing a wireless signal. How doI identifymycomputerif ithasan Ethernet/NetworkInterface Card(NIC)? Start of main cont do I identify An Ethernet card is necessary in order to install AT&T High Speed Internet INSTRUCTIONS & INFO identifying if your computer has an Ethernet/Network Interface Card (NIC) If you are not sure if your computer already has a NIC installed Most desktop computers manufactured after 2000 and laptops manufactured after 2001 come standard with a preinstalled Ethernet card. For this reason, AT&T Internet Services does not provide a Network Interface Card (NIC) in High Speed Internet installation kits. If you are not sure if your computer already has a NIC installed, then follow these steps: 1. From your computer, click Start, then Control Panel. 2. Select Networkand Internet Connections icon. 3. Select the Network Connections icon. 4. Under LAN or High-Speed Internet category, look for the name of the Ethernet card (Tip: words like Ethernet adapter, Ethernetlink, or LAN adapter may be contained in the card name).
- 5. 5. If an Ethernet card is listed, then YES, your NIC or PC card is installed. Additional ways to check if your computer already has a NIC Refer to the owner's manual for your computer. Contact your computer manufacturer. Look for an Ethernet port on the back of your computer (it will look like a phone jack but a little bigger). The presence of an Ethernet port indicates that a NIC is already installed in your computer. This is what a NIC looks like: If you do not have a NIC card already installed in your computer ou will need to purchase a NIC to complete the AT&T High Speed Internet installation. You may purchase a NIC directly from the AT&T Equipment Shop or from almost any retail computer store in your area. To install your NIC, please follow the instructions provided with your NIC purchase or contact your NIC manufacturer. Network Building: Installing a Network Interface Card Updated: 03-27-2016 In This Article To connect a computer to your network, the computer must have a network interface. Virtually all computers sold in the last 10 years or so have a network interface built-in on the motherboard. However, you may still encounter the occasional older computer that doesn’t have a built-in network interface. In that case, you must install a network interface card to enable the computer for your network. Installing a network interface card is a manageable task, but you have to be willing to roll up your sleeves. If you’ve ever installed one of these cards, you can probably install a network interface card blindfolded.
- 6. 1. Assemble your materials. Gather up the network card and the driver disks. While you’re at it, get your Windows installation CD just in case. 2. Shut down Windows, turn off the computer and unplug it. Never work in your computer’s insides with the power on or the power cord plugged in! 3. Remove the cover from your computer. You must typically remove a number of screws to open the cover. Put the screws someplace where they won’t wander off. If you have a name-brand computer such as a Dell or a Compaq, opening the cover may be trickier than just removing a few screws. You may need to consult the owner’s manual that came with the computer to find out how to open the case. 4. Find an unused expansion slot inside the computer. The expansion slots are lined up in a neat row near the back of the computer; you can’t miss them. Any computer less than five years old should have at least two or three slots known as PCI slots.
- 7. 5. Remove the metal slot protector from the back of the computer’s chassis. If a small retaining screw holds the slot protector in place, remove the screw and keep it in a safe place because you will need it later. Then pull the slot protector out and discard. 6. Insert the network interface card into the slot. Line up the connectors on the bottom of the card with the connectors in the expansion slot and then press the card straight down. Sometimes you have to press uncomfortably hard to get the card to slide into the slot. 7. Secure the network interface card. Remember that screw you put in a safe place ? Use it to stabilize the network interface card. 8. Put the computer’s case back together. Watch out for the loose cables inside the computer; you don’t want to pinch them with the case as you slide it back on. Secure the case with the screws that you removed earlier. 9. Plug in the computer and turn it back on. If you’re using a Plug and Play card with Windows, the card is automatically configured after you start the computer again. If you’re working with an older computer or an older network interface card, you may need to run an additional software installation program. See the installation instructions that come with the network interface card for details. About This Article This article can be found in the category: General (Networking) From CategoryGeneral (Networking) Windows Server 2022 and PowerShell All-in-One For Dummies Cheat Sheet What Is a Network: An Overview of Necessary Networking Components Network Administration: How to Create a New User in Active Directory
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