Network Card Drivers
A Network card, also known as a network adapter, LAN (local area network) card, NIC card (network interface card) or an ethernet card is a hardware component which allows several (or many) PC or laptop computers to communicate over an established network.
The network card itself consists of two layers, the physical layer and the data link layer device, which collectively provide each computer physical access to the network as well as providing a MAC addressing system. The MAC address is a unique 48-bit serial number stored in the read only memory stamped into the card. These two features of the network card allow various users to establish connections with each machine - the connections can either by by way of cabling or wirelessly. Modern computers have a network interface incorporated into the motherboard chipset - sepeartely installed ethernet cards are no longer required in order for a computer to access a network.
Network Card Drivers
Network card drivers are programs dedicated to the ethernet adapters of a desktop PC or laptop computer. This software provides the basis that allows the operating system and the installed application to communicate to the network - the network may be a LAN, WAN or with the integration of a high speed modem, access to the Internet.
Problems Associated With Network Cards
Common problems associated with network cards are generally limited to the inabilty of the operating system to access or recognize the network card. This may because of a physical failure in the network card itself, but frequently these issues can be attributed to incompatible drivers installed in the operating system.
How to Download Network Card Drivers From the Internet
Downloading network drivers from the Internet is one solution to the problems you may be facing with your PC or laptop. Downloading drivers from the Internet offers the following advantages:
- you can choose and download drivers according to the type of network device installed in your system
- the updated network driver versions are provided freely by their respective manufacturers
- network driver download sites offer extensive technical information that can educate you on the type of drivers compatible with your network card and operating system
If your computer is running under a Microsoft Windows operating system, particularly XP or Vista, downloading network drivers online can solve many problems that stem from incompatibility between the operating system, the graphics driver, the graphics card and the monitor.
Given the number of drivers, devices and operating systems available today, you may find it helpful to download a driver updating application. These applications automatically search out the most current driver and install it correctly into your PC or laptop operating system. Not only will this save you time but also ensure the right driver is installed in the right location within the operating system.
Major Network Card Manufacturers
- Abit
- Albatron (Legacy PCI)
- AOpen
- ASUS
- ATI
- BFG
- BIOSTAR
- Chaintech
- Club 3D
- Colorful
- Diamond Multimedia
- ECS
- eVGA
- EPoX
- Foxconn
- Gainward
- Galaxy Technology
- Gigabyte
- HIS
- Inno3D
- Jaton Corporation
- Jetway
- Leadtek
- Matrox
- MSI
- Palit
- PNY
- PowerColor
- Sapphire
- Sensoray
- SPARKLE
- VisionTek
- XFX
- Zotac
Most Popular Drivers
- Acer Drivers
- APPLE Drivers
- Asus Drivers
- ATI Drivers
- Audio Drivers
- BIOS Drivers
- CD Drivers
- Canon Drivers
- Chipset Drivers
- Compaq Drivers
- Dell Drivers
- Digital Camera Drivers
- Display Drivers
- DVD Drivers
- eMachines Drivers
- Epson Drivers
- Flash Drive Drivers
- Gateway Drivers
- Graphics Card Drivers
- HP Drivers
- iMac Drivers
- Intel Drivers
- Jump Drive Drivers
- Keyboard Drivers
- Laptop Device Drivers
- Leopard O/S Drivers
- Lexmark Drivers
- Linksys Drivers
- Logitech Drivers
- Microsoft Drivers
- Modem Drivers
- Monitor Drivers
- Motherboard Drivers
- Mouse Drivers
- MSI Drivers
- Network Card Drivers
- nVIDIA Drivers
- Operating System Drivers
- PC Device Drivers
- Printer Drivers
- Realtek Drivers
- Scanner Drivers
- Sound Card Drivers
- Toshiba Drivers
- USB Drive Drivers
- USB (Port) Drivers
- Video Card Drivers
- Vista Drivers
- Webcam Drivers
- Windows Drivers