Home Network Configuration Step 2 (NIC's)

• Step 1 - Router/Switch/Hub
• Step 2 - NIC's
• Step 3 - Cables
• Step 4 - Accesories

Secondly you need to select the network adapters you need for all your computers.

Wired or Wireless?

For your wired computers, you need to get Ethernet adapters unless they are already equipped. Many new computers come with 10/100 Ethernet interface on the motherboard.

For the wireless computers you need to get Wireless IEEE 802.11b adapters. For laptops I recommend getting PC-CARD (PCMCIA) format cards, where you have only the small antenna sticking out of the computer. Make sure you get the best receive sensitivity you can get, as this will detemine max operating distance from the Access Point (see below).

For the desktop computers you have the choice of a PCI card, a USB adapter or a wireless bridge with ethernet interface. What you prefer may depend on how many free PCI slots you have versus the ease of installation with USB. Notice that the external devices gives you much more freedom in placing the antenna.

My Recommendations - Wired

Desktop

Laptop

Both (USB)

My Recommendations - Wireless

Desktop

Laptop

<< Back to Step 1 - Router/Hub/Switch - Proceed to Step 3 - Cables >>