Below is a list of all the equipment that you will need to surf the net.
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Network Interface Cards / Ethernet Cards
There are several types of NIC cards that can be used for ResNet connections. Below is a description of each.
PCMCIA:
The PCMCIA NIC is an internal card that looks like a thick credit card which slides into the PCMCIA slot on your laptop. The attachment to the card is called a dongle. You would plug the Patch Cable into one end of the dongle then plug the dongle into the card.
USB:
The USB NIC is an external card designed to connect to the USB port of the computer. This card allows versitility over any computer with a USB port. The card typically has an adapter that plugs into the USB port and a jack on the device for plugging a Patch Cable in.
Internal:
The Internal NIC is an internal card that is inserted into an available slot on your motherbaord inside your computer. You would plug the patch cable into the face that is visible outside your computer.
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RJ-45 Patch Cables
An RJ-45 Patch Cable is used to connect a computer to a network from the Ethernet Card to the jack or Ethernet Hub. This is a straight cable which allows you to plug you computer into the network and communicate with the network and Internet.
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Ethernet Hubs
An Ethernet Hub is a device that allows multiple computers to connect to the network and Internet at the same time. Typically there will be one port designed for uplinking. Uplinking is when you "uplink" the network to the hub so that you can communicate with it. This uplink port is where you connect the patch cable from the jack in the wall to. The remaining ports are used for computers in the room. Hubs usually come with 4 ports but may contains many more.
