adaptersEthernet

An Ethernet adapter, also known as a network interface controller (NIC), Ethernet card, or network adapter, is a piece of computer hardware that connects a computer to an Ethernet network. It allows devices to communicate with each other over a local area network (LAN) or the internet. Ethernet adapters come in various forms, including integrated circuits on a motherboard, expansion cards that plug into a computer's expansion slot (like PCI or PCIe), and external USB devices.

These adapters translate data from the computer's internal bus into signals that can be transmitted over the Ethernet cable and vice versa. They handle the physical layer and data link layer functions of the Ethernet protocol. Key features of an Ethernet adapter include its speed (e.g., 10/100 Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet), the type of connector it uses (commonly RJ45), and whether it supports Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE allows an Ethernet cable to carry electrical power along with data, simplifying installations for devices like IP cameras or wireless access points. Modern computers often have integrated Ethernet adapters, making external ones less common for standard desktop and laptop use, though they remain essential for servers, specialized hardware, and upgrading older systems.