Network DevicesMr ContiYear 9Lesson 5

Every computer on a network needs a network interface card (NIC) which is connected to the motherboard inside the computer.

A cable plugs into the card, and the other end of the cable plugs into a switch.

The switch is then linked to the server.

switch

NIC

Building a network

When you connect to the Internet you connect your computer to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is done through telephone or cable services.

Computer signals are digital and normal telephone lines are analogue, so you need an analogue to digital converter if you are using an analogue telephone line. This is called a modem (modulator/demodulator).

In order for a computer to function as part of a network,it has to have a special piece of equipment called a network interface card (NIC) installed.

A NIC has a port for a network cable to be connected.

NICs are still very common, but increasingly people are using wireless network cards or wireless USB adaptors.

It is possible to connect computers on a LAN without using wires.

A wireless network card is similar to a standard NIC but has a transmitter/receiver forsending signals via radio waves.

Wireless networks are popular as they allow the user more freedom, such as working outside.

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