What is a Network Adapter?
In a computer network, each machine must have a network card installed to communicate with the network router. The router directs traffic on the local network and also handles requests made to the Internet, and subsequent responses. The network card in each machine must support the same protocols as the network router so that all devices are speaking the same language. A network adapter can substitute for an internal network card when a card is not present, or when the internal card does not support the required standard. There are two basic types of networks: wired and wireless. Network adapters are made for both types of networks, with more variety among the wireless flavor as there are different types of wireless networks. A network adapter made for a wired connection is a small USB dongle that features an Ethernet port. Ethernet cabling connects computers in wired networks, with the RJ45 Ethernet port resembling a standard RJ11 telephone jack on steroids. The adapter might come wit
