Let’s say you have an old computer and you want to connect it to your wireless network, but it just doesn’t have any wireless capabilities in it.
Well, a Wireless Network Adapter is what you need.
Keep reading and learn everything you should know about Wireless Network Adapters (such as what they are, what they do, and how to install one yourself).
And if in the end, you are still not clear on the subject, then we offer to answer all your related questions for free. Request your consultation here.
Wireless adapters come in many different kinds, shapes, and forms, changing according to their functionality and wireless standard. In most cases, they look like small USBs (at least the most recent versions) which means you can just plug them into your computer and almost forget about it.
Why do you plug it in, you may ask?
Well, their little wireless radio antenna connects to your hot spot, to your router, or to a public network like the one in your local coffee shop or nearby airport to connect to a wireless network (in case your computer doesn’t have any installed) or to improve the wireless capabilities of the internal WiFi card that we normally have.
In 2022, there are currently two different types of USB WiFi adapters:
a) USB 2.0 Support: This type of adapter is the lowest range and the cheapest, so it won’t provide us with much real speed, although we will have better coverage (as long as it has external antennas). Generally, when we buy a WiFi adapter with USB 2.0, the WiFi standard that we will use will be WiFi 4, that is, it will be compatible only in the 2.4GHz band.
There are some exceptions with USB 2.0 WiFi cards compatible with entry-level WiFi 5.
b) USB 3.0 Support: These will always be the fastest but logically, being the highest-end devices, are also the most expensive. However, there are USB 3.0 adapters that have a great value for money, and that incorporate WiFi 5 with selectable dual-band and AC1200, which are the more usual.
If you ever want something higher-end, then there’s the AC1900 or another one in a similar class, which incorporates three internal WiFi antennas. However, in the case of making it small because we will have three external antennas that are not inside the device itself.
Nowadays, the most normal thing is to find adapters with a USB 3.0 interface, but if you buy a low-end device, the most normal thing is that it is USB 2.0 to save costs, and, therefore, you will get lower wireless performance in terms of speed.
The most important thing is to buy an AC1200 with a USB 3.0 interface to avoid possible bottlenecks. Also, if decide to buy a USB WiFi adapter, make sure supports both frequency bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz).
Because the fact that they are dual-band does not mean that you can connect to both bands simultaneously. While routers and APs are a simultaneous dual-band (they broadcast on both bands at the same time), WiFi adapters don’t.
Yes, they can connect to both bands, but to one brand or another, not to both simultaneously, due to hardware limitations, since they do not have two chipsets inside but only one compatible with both bands.
In a minute, you’ll see what’s required to start using one, besides plugin-in and leaving.
To begin with, if you’re getting a USB wireless adapter, it’s important to check that you have a free USB port on your computer where this will plug into.
Normally, we will have to install or set up the drivers that come with the USB WiFi card itself, although if you use Windows 10, it is very likely that it will automatically recognize the WiFi adapter, and then install the drivers without user intervention.
And because you’ll notice Wireless Network Adapters especially when connected at medium-long distances from the main WiFi router or WiFi access point. So you’ll have to make sure if your PC or laptop is far away or not much from where the router is.
If you’re close to the router or AP, performance differences will be hardly noticeable compared to USB WiFi cards. But in case you aren’t, then it might be needed a bigger or better network adapter.
Last, but not least, at the time of buying a new Wireless Network Adapter, it’s important to look at the compatible Wi-Fi version and Wi-Fi class. These two work as parameters of achievable performance. Here’s a shortlist with a few examples:
Ask for a consultation and our experts we’ll contact as soon as possible!
While so many exciting technologies like the cloud or the Internet of Things are emerging and wireless network connectivity already exists, we surely know cabling won’t go away.
It is and will keep being an essential component of all IT environments.
And because cabling systems are what mostly stay longer in your home or business infrastructure, you must understand what differentiates different types.
Let’s see how these cabling methods (point-to-point cabling and structured cabling) compared to each other.
Point-to-point cabling is a data center cabling system made of “jumper” fiber cables connecting a switch, server, or storage unit to another switch, server, or storage unit.
This is mostly the best option if you only need a small number of connections because point-to-point cabling lacks the flexibility needed for making additions, moves, or changes to the infrastructure when the number of connections in a data center increases.
End-user terminals of the first-built data centers are connected via point-to-point connections. Back then, growth or reconfiguration wasn’t considered a pressing reality. But in current times, where new computing equipment is always added, these result in complex and costly cabling chaos, therefore becoming a non-viable option for those who own more than two server cabinets.
However, with the use of Top-of-Rack (ToR) and End-of-Row (EoR) equipment mounting options, reliant on P2P cables, point-to-point cabling could survive for some time. But at what cost?
It’s still not as good as structured cabling, the currently most-used option. This is because it offers the flexibility, reliability, and manageability required for today’s networks.
With structured cabling, on the other hand, this network of cables, equipment, and management tools enables the continuous flow of data and wireless communications.
They use distribution areas to provide flexible connections between equipment. With it, you can connect switches to servers, servers to storage devices, or even switch to switches.
Structured cabling is designed to meet EIA/TIA and ANSI standards of design, installation, maintenance, documentation, and system expansion, to reduce risk and costs in constantly expanding, complex IT environments.
Have you ever thought about moving your business to a new location?
Fortunately, structured cabling is also easier to move or to add and change what’s on your business’ data center or server room.
Structured cabling can be dissembled and reassembled with more ease than point-to-point cables.
It’s not only its flexibility of transportation that makes structured cabling the best option for all growing businesses (especially those that already feel the growing pains of data network’s limitations), but also its considerable performance and support of future technologies.
So, on the whole, and in a few words, point-to-point cabling still exists for the smaller businesses that don’t need much of anything. While structured cabling offers more of everything… Of course, at a greater price.
If you consider how much it facilitates and improves maintenance, expansion, and performance, you shouldn’t think about the cost that represents now, but of how much you’ll save in the future.
Now that you know the differences between Point-to-Point Cabling vs. Structured Cabling…
Are you ready to make a choice?
We’re ready to answer any cabling-related questions and to help you with any connectivity issue you’re having.
Serving The Woodlands, the Greater Houston Area, Austin, & Dallas. LayerLogix is a trusted business partner for Expert IT and structured cabling solutions based in The Woodlands, Texas.
