Verkkosovitin

Verkkosovitin is a device that enables a computing device to connect to a computer network by providing a dedicated physical interface and the necessary software to manage data transmission. In Finnish the term covers both wired and wireless adapters, including built‑in motherboard NICs, PCIe Ethernet cards, USB‑to‑Ethernet adapters, and Wi‑Fi adapters.

Wired adapters implement Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) and typically use RJ-45 connectors. Wireless adapters implement Wi‑Fi standards (IEEE 802.11 family) and handle tasks such as association with access points, encryption, and roaming. Many verkkosovittimet support features such as MAC addressing, VLAN tagging (802.1Q), Wake-on-LAN, and jumbo frames.

Operation and software: The adapter handles data link layer functions such as framing and addressing, while the operating system and device drivers provide higher‑level networking support (IP configuration, routing, and so on). In virtualization environments, virtual network adapters emulate hardware interfaces and connect to virtual switches or networks.

Types and use cases: Common forms include built‑in motherboard NICs, PCIe Ethernet cards, USB Ethernet adapters, and wireless USB or PCIe adapters. They are used to provide network access for desktops, laptops, servers, embedded devices, and virtualization hosts, enabling wired or wireless connectivity and network management capabilities.

History and standards: Network adapters have evolved from early 10 Mbps Ethernet cards to gigabit and multi‑gigabit speeds, with interfaces moving from ISA/PCI to PCIe and from wired to wireless options. They adhere to relevant standards such as IEEE 802.3 for Ethernet and IEEE 802.11 for Wi‑Fi.

See also: Network interface card, Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, VLAN, MAC address, Wake-on-LAN.