Ethernet and WifiChapter 7 & 8
Send and Receive Data
network adapter or network interface NIC card
the most common wired Ethernet network interfaces
Built into the Motherboard
RJ-45 & RJ-11
A printed circuit card that mounts inside the computer
A PC card that plugs into a laptop computer
An external unit connected to the computer through a USB cable
Ethernet ports asstandard features
Setting the BIOS Utility
a set of controls that load configuration settings when you turn on the computer
recognize both the internal and external adapters
Adding a NIC to an Old Computer
Ethernet adapters are available both as inexpensive no-name products and slightly more costly brand-name versions
To install an internal Ethernet adapter, follow these steps
USB Adapters
Network Adapters for Laptops
Network Adapters for Laptops
NIC CardsThe three indicator lights are:
LINK Lights in green when the adapter is connected to a live network
10/100 Lights in yellow when the adapter is connected to a 100 Mbps network; goes dark when it’s connected to a 10 Mbps network
ACT Flashes in green as data passes through the network connection in either direction
WIFI networksChapter 8
Wi-FiRadio signals instead of Ethernet cables to connect computers and other devices to a LAN
Wi-Fi connections are far less secure than wired networks
Types of Wi-Fi Networks
Operating Channels
radio spectrum
2.4 GHz band, there are 14 overlapping Wi-Fi radio channels
Wi-Fi signals
Access PointsWi-Fi access points
radio transmitter/receivers (transceivers)
802.11g or 802.11n
A Wi-Fi adapter can also exchange data by radio directly to and from another computer in an ad hoc network
Network Interface Adapters
Adapters Built into Laptops
PC Cards
USB Adapters
PCI Cards
Antennas
Wi-Fi Control Programs
Access Point Configuration Programs
DHCP
IP address
Wireless network name
Channel number
Operating mode
Wireless Connection Programsprograms display a list of all nearby Wi-Fi
access points and identify those that are using encrypted data
Wi-Fi control program should automatically use the password and other configuration
Hybrid (Wired-Wireless) Networks
Wi-Fi Security