Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
4. Fasten down the card with the same screw that held the slot cover.
Tip
Ifyouarearealistlikeme,youmightnotwanttoclosethecaseuntilyouarecertaintheNIC
is working. (See the next section, Testing Your Network Adapters and Connections . ”)
Once the network adapter is installed, you need to install the drivers for the card that
match your OS.
Testing Your Network Adapters and Connections
Connect the network adapter to the network. With an Ethernet network using UTP cable,
run the cable from the card to the switch, turn on the computer and switch, and watch
for signal lights to light up on the NIC's back bracket (if so equipped) and on the switch.
Switches normally use LEDs to indicate the presence of a computer on a particular port,
andtheyusuallyindicatetheconnectedspeed.IftheLEDsshowthatthecardisconnected
at the correct speed, that usually indicates the card and intervening cabling are function-
ing correctly. For other types of networks, see the diagnostics provided with the network
hardware for testing details.
Cables and Connections Between Computers
Depending on the network architecture you choose, you might need to run cables. If you
areinstallingaFastorGigabitEthernetnetwork(bothofwhichuseUTPcables),youneed
cables that are long enough to reach comfortably between each computer's network port
and the network's hub or switch.
BecauseHomePNAnetworksarebasedonyourexistingtelephoneline,thepatchcordin-
cludedwiththeNICisusuallylongenoughtoconnectwithyourexistingRJ-11telephone
jack. The HomePNA NIC has two jacks: one for the connection to the telephone line and
the other to enable you to connect your telephone to the NIC. Be sure you use the correct
jack for each cable; otherwise, your network won't work. HomePNA enables you to use
your telephone system for voice and networking at the same time.
Wireless network NICs use an external antenna to make the connection between com-
puters.Insomecases,theantennaisbuiltintotheNIC,whereasinothercasestheantenna
is attached to the NIC or needs to be extended from a storage position inside the NIC.
Switch/Access Point
UTP Ethernet networks require a switch if more than two computers will be networked.
(You can use a crossover cable between two computers only.) Wireless Ethernet networks
 
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