Page 13 - Handout Computer Network.

Because PCI slots are faster than ISA slots, the latter are being phased out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9evUZtkEAc

1.3.1 NIC and Modem Installation

Connectivity to the Internet requires an adapter card, which might be a modem or NIC. A modem
is an electronic device that is used for computer communications through telephone lines. It
allows data transfer between one computer and another over the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN).
Typically, modems send data in blocks of bytes. After each block, basic math is performed
to analyze the block, and the computer on the receiving end is asked whether it agrees with the
results. If any differences appear, the block is sent again. The modems convert digital data to
analog signals for transmission over the PSTN and then convert analog signals back to digital data
on the receiving end. The term modem derives from the function of this device. The process of
converting digital signals to analog and back again is called modulation/demodulation (hence the
term modem). Modems can be installed internally or attached to the computer via a serial or USB
interface externally. Modems connect a computer to the network by dialing the telephone
number of another computer’s modem, typically that of the Internet service provider (ISP). The
NIC lets hosts connect to the network. The NIC is considered a key component. NICs are available
in different types, depending on the individual device configuration. Notebook computers can
have a built-in interface or use a PCMCIA card. Desktop systems can use a builtin or adapter card-
type NIC.

Situations that require NIC installation include the following:

• Adding a NIC to a PC that does not already have one

• Replacing a bad or damaged NIC
• Upgrading from a 10-megabits per second (Mbps) NIC to a 10/100-Mbps NIC To install a
NIC, as shown in Figure below, you need the following resources:

• Knowledge of how the adapter is configured, including jumpers and plug-and-play
software. Most modern NICs do not require jumpers and are plug-and-play, requiring little
or no configuration. They can be configured using software that comes with the NIC if
necessary.

• Use of network card diagnostics, including the vendor-supplied diagnostics and loopback
test (see the card’s documentation).

• The ability to resolve hardware resource conflicts, including IRQ, I/O base address, and
direct memory address (DMA), which is used to transfer data from RAM to a device
without going through the CPU.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mad4kQ5835Y&t=33s

13