Wi-fi card or wireless network adapter connects a computing device to the wireless network. There are WiFi cards for laptops, desktops, PDAs and other devices that need a radio network connection.
There are numerous different kinds of wireless networks.
1) Mobile internet
As addition to voice calls, mobile network operators are providing mobile wi-fi. You can reach internet together with your cell phone, or with your own personal computer using special mobile cards. There are various different technologies for mobile wi-fi connection – GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, LTE.
2) WiFi
For WiFi web connection you should utilize Wi-Fi providers or you could use broadband wireless modem attached to you DSL, cable or satellite provider. Your house wireless network consists of computers or any other devices connected with their wi-fi adapters to the WiFi router.
3) Internet access using WiMAX solution
WiMAX – Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or Wireless MAN works in big distances. Fraxel treatments covers much bigger areas than WiFi.
In the following paragraphs I’ll talk most about wireless adapters that connects towards the WiFi routers.
Wireless internet cards connect devices to the wireless LAN network or even the WiFi network. On web you could find the choice names WiFi card and wireless network adapter. Wireless network adapters support a number of 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n WiFi standards.
There are few different types of Wireless network adapters on the market:
- WiFi cards for laptops
- PCI WiFi Network adapter for personal computers
- PCMCIA WiFi adapter
- USB Wireless Network adapter
- WLAN compact flash adapter
These WiFi adapters can work also on different devices except classical computers like:
- Xbox 360 adapter
- Nintendo WiFi
- Credit card terminal
- Internet printer adapter
- Wireless internet camera
- Internet radio
- WLAN compact flash card
- PDA WiFi
- Archos 605 WiFi
- SD WiFi
There are various vendors producing WiFi cards:
- Verizon WiFi card
- Sprint wireless card
- Belkin wireless G notebook card
- Atheros wireless LAN
Here’ will show you you in details the most typical kinds of wireless internet cards:
PCI Wireless Network Card
WiFi PCI adapter connects to some desktop computer’s PCI bus. PCI bus is inside the computer, which means you have to open some type of computer and set the WiFi PCI adapter. PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect is a standard allowing you to connect devices to a computer CPU. PCI forms a typical interconnection called bus. The bus connects all connected devices to talk about communication. PCI is easily the most common bus for personal computers.
WLAN compact flash card
WLAN compact flash card or WiFi compact flash is combination of flash memory and wi-fi adapter. You could find the choice name WiFi CF card or WLAN CF card. In one adapter you can have the wireless connectivity for your computer and a storage device for the pictures and other files you need.