LAN card

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LAN card

A LAN card (Local Area Network card) is a hardware component that connects a computer to a local area network (LAN), enabling it to communicate with other devices on the network. It converts data signals between the computer and the network media, such as Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi.

What does LAN card mean?

A LAN (Local Area Network) card, also known as a network interface card (NIC) or Ethernet card, is an expansion card that allows a computer to connect to a wired LAN. It is an essential component for any computer connected to a network, providing the Physical layer connection between the computer and the network. The LAN card converts data from the computer into a format that can be transmitted over the network cable and vice versa.

LAN cards typically use either a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) or PCIe (PCI Express) interface to connect to the computer’s motherboard. They can also be integrated into the motherboard itself. LAN cards typically have one or more RJ-45 ports (8P8C modular connectors) that connect to the network cable.

Applications

LAN cards are widely used in various applications, including:

  • Home networking: LAN cards Enable computers in a home network to connect to each other and share resources such as files, printers, and internet access.

  • Business networking: LAN cards are essential for connecting computers in business environments to create a local area network (LAN) that allows them to share resources and communicate with each other.

  • Industrial automation: LAN cards are used in industrial automation systems to connect devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers to a network for data exchange and control.

History

The first LAN card was developed by Xerox PARC in the early 1970s. These early LAN cards used the Ethernet protocol and were designed to connect computers to a network over coaxial cable. In the 1980s, the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet was developed, which led to the widespread adoption of Ethernet LAN cards.

Over the years, LAN cards have evolved to support Faster network speeds and more advanced features. Modern LAN cards support speeds of up to 10 Gbps and can also provide features such as VLAN tagging, Jumbo Frames, and Wake-on-LAN.