Types of Network Interface Cards

Network interface cards, referred to as NICs, are PC integrate cards that give inter-networking capabilities for a particular computing solution. There are many types of NICs that are utilized in changeable situations. The biggest variation between cards is depending upon their connective medium and speed capabilities. To a lesser extent, NICs can be distinguished by their type of connectivity to PC.

1-10/100 Ethernet

1. These are networking cards that are utilized often in home or small office setting. As name implies, they are able of speeds up to 10 or 100 megabits per second, not to be confused with megabytes per second. These cards generally attach to PC using a PCI, PCIe or ISA motherboard interface slot. These cards are setup to utilize category 5 or 6 networking cables. The variation between category 5 and 6 networking cables is addition of more shielding in category 6 cable to decrease "cross-talk" that slows network transfer speeds.

2-Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet NICs give network transfer speeds of up to one Gigabit per second. These cards attach to PC using same means as before mentioned, though, they are much more likely to be formed for PCIe slots. These NICs can use Category 5, 5e, 6, and 7 cabling, with a preference for latter. Though, these NICs are more frequently created to use fiber optic cables for utilize in enterprise solutions like web servers or data storage centers.

3-Fiber Optics

Main network infrastructures like tier 1 and 2 Internet backbones need more controlling NICs. Fiber optic NICs consume fiber optic cabling to achieve speeds of 10 gigabits per second, with a requirement below review to push this limit to 100 gigabits per second. These NICs are frequently, though not always, exterior devices that attach to servers or workstations by an inter-networking plane which gives a lower connective speed to individual devices like 100 Mb/s. These NICs are a significant financial investment and need much service and maintenance.

4-Wireless NICs

Wireless NICs give similar networking capabilities as wired counterparts, though they have their own transfer capabilities. Speeds of 54 Mb/s are usually available to wireless NICs without teaming some NICs together to mix bandwidths. These NICs, though give for wireless networking that permits for freedom in PC topology and installation.

5-Wireless Dongles

There is a wireless networking device utilized by individual machines that have access to a main PC that is attached to a wireless router. This wireless router permits user to install wireless dongles rather than whole routers with every extra machine on network. These devices attach by ether connectors to a standard Ethernet card; though, they are common in a USB compatible connective specification.

This connectivity through USB permits for real time plug and play installation without financial load of buying many wireless routers per machine.