Network Ports

Network Ports
Network ports are used to connect a computer to other computers, including a network server.
Two different network adapters, Ethernet and Token Ring, are available, but most networks use
Ethernet ports. The ports on these adapters can be quite confusing because the connectors are
sometimes the same. A network cable inserts into the network port.
Ethernet adapters are the most common type of NIC (network interface card/controller). They
can have a BNC, an RJ-45, a 15-pin female D-shell connector, or a combination of these on the same
adapter. The BNC connector attaches to thin coax cable. The 15-pin D-shell connector connects to
thick coax cable. The RJ-45 connector connects to UTP (unshielded twisted-pair) cable and is the
most common Ethernet port used. The 15-pin female D-shell connector is confusing because this
connector is also used with game ports. The RJ-45 connector (the most common one) looks like a
phone jack, but it uses eight wires instead of four. Figure 1.25 shows examples of different Ethernet
adapter ports.