What is an Ethernet Card

An Ethernet card is a kind of network adapter, and was initially created to build a Local Area Network (LAN). It is used to support the Ethernet standard for high-speed network connections via cables and assists the exchange of files and data on the computers over a network. These computers communicate over a computer network with the help of a physical access to a networking medium, and a low-level addressing system through the use of MAC addresses (a unique 48-bit serial number which is stored in ROM carried on the Ethernet card). Within a network, it is important for every computer to have a card with a unique MAC address.

A network card typically consists of a twisted pair, BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) or AUI (Attachment Unit Interface) socket, where the network cable is connected. There are also a few LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) to inform the user of whether the network is active and whether or not there is data being transmitted on it. The operational speed of Ethernet cards varies from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps, depending on the protocol standard they support. Earlier a maximum speed of 10 Mbps was possible by the Ethernet, which gradually rose to 100 Mbps. Nowadays, there are Fast Ethernet standard and Gigabit Ethernet, which offer a speed of 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps).

Installation of an Ethernet Card
The installation of an Ethernet card provides a great way to share files and printers over an existing network. These days most of the computers come with built-in Ethernet cards, which are ideal in an environment where two or more computers need to be interlinked. However, if a computer does not have an inbuilt card, the installation process is easy and can be done by following a few simple steps.

• Open the computer cabinet and find an available slot on the motherboard. Place the Ethernet card on the slot and press it down.
• Tighten the screw that attaches the card to the case, replace the cover, then plug the computer back into the electrical outlet.
• Switch on the computer and install the drivers from the CD that comes along with the Ethernet card. Restart the computer after the drivers get installed.
• Use the Cat 5 Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet PC card to the network. For making the connection, plug one end of the network cable into the port on the back of the card and the other end into one of the open ports on the router or modem.
• Restart the router or modem and configure the network connection. In case some confusion arises at any point of time, always refer to the user manual that comes along with the card.

A variety of Ethernet cards are available in the market, depending on the requirements of the user. Wireless cards are also available which make use of radio waves for data transmission. A small antenna is used for such cards, for transmitting data and carrying out requests. These cards generally look like small boxes and are connected through an external USB port. Wireless Ethernet cards provide a flexible alternative to PCI cards for desktop computers, and are also used with video game consoles and other consumer devices lacking the required slots. With the advancement in technology, the dependency on computer networks has also proliferated. Network security is one of the prime concerns of big organizations which have confidential and classified information on the network. So one should always be aware about the security issues, before installing Ethernet cards and creating a network.