Lesson Objectives:
After reading
the chapter and completing the exercises, the students should be able
to:
• Describe what role a network adapter card plays in networked
communications
• Explain how network adapters prepare data from transmission,
accept incoming network traffic, and control how networked communications
flow
• Understand the variety of configurable options for network
adapters and describe common settings
• Describe important characteristics for selecting adapter cards
• Recount network adapter enhancements that can improve performance
• Explain the role of driver software in network adapters
Key Terms
adapter
slot
AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
base I/O port
base memory address
Boot PROM
boot up
buffer
bus
bus mastering
bus width
device driver
diagnostic software
DIP switch
Direct Memory Access (DMA)
diskless workstations
driver
dual inline package (DIP)
Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA)
extent
fault tolerance
FireWire
Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
hexadecimal
high memory area (HMA)
Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
|
Interrupt
Request Line (IRQ)
IPSec (IP Security)
jumper
jumper block
MAC address
Media Access Control (MAC)
membase
Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)
MSD.EXE
network adapter
network address
network card
Network Device Interface Specification (NDIS)
network interface card (NIC)
on-board co-processor
Open Data-link Interface (ODI)
packet
parallel transmission
Peripheral Component Interface (PCI)
Plug and Play
power-on self-test (POST)
Quality of Service (QoS)
RAM buffering
security feature
serial transmission
shared adapter memory
shared system memory
traffic management
transceiver
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
Win32 Driver Model (WDM)
WINMSD.EXE
|
Links
Network
Adapter Cards - Vendors and Cards
Networking
Devices Defined - Alabama Technologies
Guide
to Network Components - Free PC Tech
Bud's
Windows Troubleshooter
3Com
- Network Interface Cards
Roamabout
Wireless Network Adapter Cards
Directory
NDIS
