An Excellent Network Card (3Com EtherLink 10/100 Combo Network Interface Card)

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	3Com EtherLink 10/100 Combo Network Interface Card
Date:	06/03/02 (554 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, Reliable, clever technology

Disadvantages: Price

To most of the readers on here, you will have probably been on some form of networked PC at some time.
If you are solely a home user, then this opinion will not form much imterest but please, give it a go. It may be informative to you and give you an insight into the world of Networks.

What is a Network first of all?.
Well it is a system by which computers can communicate with each other. This can be as little as 2 computers connected directly to each other with 1 cable or 1000's of computers linked via massive servers. In fact, you are part of one of the biggest networks right now if you areading this online. The World Wide Web is essentially one big network.

What is needed for a Network?
Well obviously you need the computers but that alone is not enough. They are not telepathic after all.
You need several other things.
Firstly, you need an interface that plugs into your computer. We call this the network card. You can buy these as an aftermarket add on (very common) or as part of the motherboard technology. This means it is all part of the computer and not removeable.
Secondly you need either a hub or a server. This connects the computers together. A sort of meeting place. It allows them to swap information and talk to each other. Very much like a telephone switchboard.
Lastly, you need to connect it all together. You do this cabling. The cabling that connects the computers together comes in different types and different connections depending on its age.
Networks are becoming very high in speed today. This means they can carry information much quicker to where it needs to be.

Here I will talk about one of the best Network cards on the market presently and why I think it is so.

The 3Com 905B Combo 10/100MBit PCI

Overview.

This card is of excellent design. It is produced by 3com who are one of the market innovators in Network Technology. You can gaurantee it is go
ing to be very high quality and last you for as long as your computer will. With its vast array of network port choices, you can be assured it will be adaptable to almost any environment.

Compatibility.

This card is PCI slot fitting. This means that it fits into the WHITE expansion slots inside your machine. Almost all PC's built in the last 5 or 6 years will have PCI slots. Best way to make sure is to open up your PC case. If you are unsure about this, consult a local shop.
The slot will be towards the rear of the machine and on the motherboard.

Installation.
Simply open up your computer (with the power off) and find a vacant slot. Push the card firmly into the slot without damaging it. Screw in the little retaining bolt and reassemble your case.
Turn on the power and your computer should automatically detect the new hardware. Follow the onscreen instructions and insert the drivers in to the CD rom when prompted.

Features.
These are endless and really do allow it to be used with nearly all technologies.
Firstly, the 3 main network technologies are catered for at the back of the card. This allows you to connect your PC to either BNC, AUI or the more modern RJ45 type networks.
Sounds confusing? Well hopefully this will explain.
The older style networks relied on Co-axial cables to carry information. It looks like a TV aerial lead and only carried data at up to 10mbps. This type of network is catered for and can be connected to the long round socket on the back of the card. It even looks like a tv aerial socket.
The AUI network is similarly old and is catered for with the long multi pin socket that looks like a printer port.
The most modern network is the RJ 45 type that can carry data at up to 100 Mbps. That is 10 times quicker than the BNC. This socket is like a phone line plug hole and is also provided.

Performance.
Due to its speed capabilities and its improved
security settings, this card can significantly reduce your desktop maintenance time and vastly improve reliability. It allows centralised desktop configuration by network owners.
The card also allows Parallel Tasking which improves the PCI bus speed even further allowing more operations to be carried out.
The Auto configure technology on the card even works out what speed network you are running and adapts its operating speeds accordingly.

Overall.
This is a great card that is easy to install, easy to configure and reliable to use. It is quite expensive though. Retailing at around £70 there are much cheaper alternatives on the market. It just depends if you need the compatibility of the Combo card to fit any network. However, you are getting a great performance from this product and it is one I recommend to be installed into any network PC.

Summary: