Identify the Names Purposes and Characteristics of Adapter Cards

Last Updated on Sun, 19 Feb 2023 | Operating Systems

Adapter cards increase a computer's functionality by adding controllers for specific devices or by replacing malfunctioning ports. Figure 1-8 shows several types of adapter cards.

Figure 1-8 Adapter Cards

Names The Adapter With Pictures

Adapter cards are used to expand and customize the computer's capability:

■ NIC connects a computer to a network using a network cable.

■ Wireless NIC connects a computer to a network using radio frequencies.

■ Sound adapter provides audio capability.

■ Video adapter provides graphic capability.

■ Modem adapter connects a computer to the Internet using a phone line.

■ SCSI adapter connects SCSI devices, such as hard drives or tape drives, to a computer.

■ RAID adapter connects multiple hard drives to a computer to provide redundancy and to improve performance.

■ USB port connects a computer to peripheral devices.

■ Parallel port connects a computer to peripheral devices.

■ Serial port connects a computer to peripheral devices.

Computers have expansion slots on the motherboard to install adapter cards. The type of adapter card connector must match the expansion slot. A riser card is used in computer systems with the LPX form factor to allow adapter cards to be installed horizontally. The riser card is mainly used in slimline desktop computers. The different types of expansion slots are as follows:

■ Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) is an 8-bit or 16-bit expansion slot. This is older technology and is seldom used.

■ Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) is a 32-bit expansion slot. This is older technology and is seldom used.

■ Microchannel Architecture (MCA) is an IBM-proprietary 32-bit expansion slot. This is older technology and is seldom used.

■ Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is a 32-bit or 64-bit expansion slot. PCI is the standard slot currently used in most computers.

■ Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) is a 32-bit expansion slot. AGP is designed for video adapters.

■ PCI-Express is a serial bus expansion slot. PCI-Express is backward-compatible with PCI slots. PCI-Express has x1, x4, x8, x16 slots.

Continue reading here: Identify the Names Purposes and Characteristics of Storage Drives

Was this article helpful?

+9 -3

Recommended Books

  • Operating System Concepts
  • Operating System Design and Implementation
  • Operating System Principles
  • Operating System Structures
  • Operating System Design
  • Operating System Internals and Design Principles
  • Operating System Theory

Related Posts

Readers' Questions

  • lorena giordano
    What is the purpose of raid adapters?
    1 month ago
    • RAID adapters are used to create redundant storage systems. They provide a way of combining multiple hard drives into a single array in order to increase storage capacity, performance, and reliability. A RAID adapter is device that allows multiple hard disks to be combined into one logical unit, enabling data to be stored on multiple disks. This helps to reduce the risk of data loss due to disk failure or insufficient capacity. RAID adapters are also used for improving disk performance by striping or mirroring data across multiple disks.
    • ULPU
      Which of the following expansion buses are most commonly used for video cards in older computers?
      2 months ago
    • wiseman
      Which of the following expansion buses is most commonly used for devices such as sound cards?
      2 months ago
      • PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
      • einojuhani
        What is the purpose of an expansion slot on a motherboard?
        2 months ago
        • An expansion slot on a motherboard is used to provide a connection for additional hardware components, such as graphics cards, sound cards, or other peripheral cards. Expansion slots provide an upgradeable path for increased speed and performance when used with compatible hardware.
        • Berardo Boni
          What is computer adapter card?
          5 months ago
          • A computer adapter card is a type of computer hardware used to add more functions and capabilities to a computer. It is a printed circuit board that fits into an expansion slot on the motherboard, allowing a user to add additional components such as a sound card, network card, graphics card, or other expansion cards.
          • Layla
            What is adapter card slot?
            1 year ago
            • An adapter card slot is a physical component on a computer motherboard, used for installing adapter cards, which are designed to add functionality to a computer system. These slots may be of several different types, such as PCI, PCI Express, AGP, or ISA. Adapter cards can enhance a computer system with features such as a network interface, a high-speed modem, additional storage, or better graphics.
            • zewdi
              What are the examples of adapter cards in a computer.?
              1 year ago
              • Examples of adapter cards in a computer include network cards, sound cards, graphics cards, TV tuner cards, and USB cards.
              • melilot
                What is adptor card in a computer?
                1 year ago
                • An adapter card, also known as an expansion card, is a device that expands the functionality of a computer by connecting it to other devices. It is used to add new capabilities to a computer system, such as connecting it to a printer, scanner, or another computer. Adapter cards typically connect to the motherboard via one of the many expansion slots.
                • mauno
                  What adapter cards that Connects devices such as hard drives or tape drives to a computer.?
                  1 year ago
                  • A SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) adapter card is an adapter card that connects devices such as hard drives or tape drives to a computer.
                  • kerry
                    What are the different types of adapter cards?
                    1 year ago