What is a " PCI NIC Card " ? and a few other questions

[TheHawgHorde]

I am upgrading my DSL modem to the actiontec 1520 , for the last year I have been using a USB modem and recently it was suggested that I try one that connects via ethernet instead of USB.

So I am getting this modem next week and it comes with the following:

Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway
USB Cable
Ethernet Cable
Power Supply 12V
Installation Software CD
RJ-11 DSL Cable
PCI NIC Card
Quick Start Guides


What is the PCI NIC Card? ?

Also do I need an ethernet card for my PC?

Which one of these do I use and what is the difference if any? The modem can take either.....

IEEE 802.3 10 Base-T Ethernet
IEEE 802.3u 100 Base-Tx Fast Ethernet

 

[JackMDS]

You will find answers here:

AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless networking?

General info on the subject:

AnandTech - FAQ . Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

AanadTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

 

[stash]

What is the PCI NIC Card....Also do I need an ethernet card for my PC?

Same thing. NIC==network interface card==ethernet card. Fits in a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) slot on your motherboard.

I would use the fast ethernet card. You wont get fast ethernet speeds (100 baseT) from your cable, but its backwards compatible with ethernet (10 baseT), so go for it. It will come in handy if you ever want to set up a home LAN

 

[Santa]

What package are you purchasing?

I have not seen any all in one router package that includes a Network Interface Card but I am sure there are some out there.

Ethernet card = NIC = Network Interface Card

If you use USB right now there is drivers that create a virtual Network Interface Card or network device inside your computer that communicates through USB.

There isn't much difference you will notice between using either or..

10 and 100 Base is an indication of transmission speeds. 10Mbit/s or 100Mbit/s as you may of heard of Gigabit which is 1000 Base-T

T stands for Twisted Pair which is because the pairs of wires are twisted to match up with the IEEE standard.

Most likley using a Network Interface Card you will be connecting at Network Interface Card since it says that the device supports this. Your maximum throughput to the internet anyways is most likley less than 1/100th this speed 1.5 or lower for DSL.

Even if you used the 10Mbit type connectivity you are 10x faster than your internet connection so either would work for your needs.

 

[TheHawgHorde]

What package are you purchasing?
>>>>>>>>
A custom package sold thru Qwest ,and actually I cannot buy it but I am leasing it for $5 a month but I get 12 months for free with no strings attached, this modem is replacing the Cisco 678.






If you use USB right now there is drivers that create a virtual Network Interface Card or network device inside your computer that communicates through USB.
>>>>>
sounds like something fun to try, where do I go to start?





And also thanks !!

 

[Santa]

Well sounds like you are losing your USB modem since you are upgrading your gateway. The old modem acted like your USB network card and by replacing it you do not have that capability anymore.

The Network Interface Card you are getting in the package can be installed and drivers installed then you would use the supplied Ethernet cable to connect to the gateway.

I am not sure why the new package has a USB cable unless perhaps it too can act like a USB modem.

By the sound of things you don't transfer files between machines often enough to need anything above the theoretical limit of USB 1.1 which is 12Mbit. I would stick with USB if your new DSL gateway has the capability unless you want to play around and install the Ethernet card.

Sounds like you just need to decide on what you want to do and install the drivers for that. It is all driver driven (no pun intended) for your computer will use whatever you tell it to.

 

[TheHawgHorde]

Well actually I have an Intel 3200 USB modem, what I meant was Qwest used to sell the Cisco but they changed something in their system and the modems had to change as well.
Most home users get a 3200 or a 2200 Intel modem, while the businesses get the one I am getting.

I have been told by more than one person that my modem is the worst modem Qwest gives out and I need to change it if I want my speed to come up.
I have a 640/256 line and on avg I have been getting around 450kb/sec on the two hops it takes just to get out of my providers network.
I transfer on avg about 10gb a month so I am hardly a casual user.

It would make no sence at all for me to use the USB if it comes with the ethernet card....mostly because I have several USB devices at it is.

My ISP told me today...."You use a USB modem? ...All bets are off."

 

[Santa]

Then Ethernet Card here you come

The only thing that may cause your download or upload to suffer since your speed is only 640/256 is perhaps an inefficient driver because USB should be able to handle those speeds without a problem.

640Kbps download is still less than 12000Kbps theoretical throughput of USB so if your drivers were made well then using USB, 10 Base-T, or 100 Base-T you shouldn't saturate your local bandwidth before your WAN bandwidth.

Give it a try and let us know what your results are.