What Is a PCI Ethernet Adapter?

Purpose

• The purpose of a PCI Ethernet adapter is to allow your computer to communicate with other computers or devices. In most homes using Ethernet, each computer will be connected to a central device, called a "switch" or "router" This device will also be connected to a cable or DSL modem. This system allows each computer to share data with the other computers in the house, while also allowing each computer to access the Internet. Identify an Ethernet connection by looking at it; the cable used will look similar to a phone cable, but is wider.
  
  

Features

• Ethernet adapters are able to communicate at many different speeds. The most common speeds available are 10, 100 and 1,000 megabits per second. Note that most broadband Internet connections are still less than 10 mbits/sec, so upgrading your home network will not increase the speed of your Internet connection. It will, however, allow files to be sent more quickly from one computer to another within your home. Additionally, to communicate at any given speed, all of the devices on your network, including the router, must support that speed. Additionally, some Ethernet adapters are available that are designed for games, claiming to have the ability to reduce latency and make Internet-based games respond more quickly. These products are extremely expensive, and their ability to significantly improve game performance is questioned by experts.
  
  

Price

• PCI Ethernet adapters are extremely inexpensive. You can expect to spend less than $10 for one in 2009. However, some Ethernet adapters intended to be used in server computers can be more expensive, at about $100.
  
  

Other Ethernet Devices

• A PCI device is a computer add-on card, designed to be installed inside the computer. Ethernet adapters can be purchased in other forms, however, including external devices that connect to the computer via USB. Additionally, your computer may already have an Ethernet adapter built into the motherboard, eliminating the need for a separate device altogether.
  
  

Alternatives

• Wireless connections are becoming increasingly popular for home network use. In this setup, your computer would contain a device capable of receiving and transmitting data, and your router would communicate with this device. This system generally still involves Ethernet, however, as Ethernet is used to connect your cable or DSL modem to your router. Although wireless communication is generally not as fast as Ethernet, many users prefer it because it allows them to connect to the Internet using their notebook computer from any location in the house.