What is the name of the device for connecting computers with other computers? Well, if this question revolves in your head, then you are doing the right thing when you read this article. So, a device for interconnecting one computer with others is an adapter (in other words, a network card). What is he like? How does it work? What functions does it perform? All these questions can be answered within the framework of this article.
What is an adapter?
This is the name of the peripheral device of a computer that directly works with a data medium. Thanks to him, directly or using other communication equipment, communication is established with other computers.
This device solves the problem of ensuring the reliability of binary data exchange, which is presented in the form of corresponding electromagnetic signals. Their transmission is carried out using external communication lines. Since the adapter is a computer controller, it works under the control of the corresponding driver of the operating system used. The differentiation of functions between them may vary, depending on the implementation.
Adapters Development
So, we already know that a device for interconnecting one computer with others is an adapter. Now let's briefly follow how this technology evolved.
In the first local networks, the adapters, together with the coaxial cable segment, took over the entire range of communication equipment. Thanks to them, they organized the interaction of computers. Then the direct interaction between various electronic computers was used.
This technology is still used, but most modern standards also provide for a number of special communication devices (for example, a bridge, switch, hub or router). They sort out some of the functions regarding data flow control.
Erroneous assumptions
You can often hear or read that a device for interconnecting one computer with others is a processor. Know that this is not true. A device for interconnecting one computer with another is called an adapter or network card, but nothing else! The origin of such an error is not known for certain, but if someone is mistaken, it would be better to correct it.
Data formatting and coding functions
The adapter functions in that the information must be transmitted in the form of a frame having a specific format. At the same time, coding is understood as representing information with the help of certain signals so that they can be received on the other side, but the meaning contained in them should not be lost.
Let's dwell on this in more detail. The frame includes several service fields. These include the address of the computer to which data must be transmitted and the checksum of each frame. On it will be concluded that the information provided is correct. About coding, we can say that its meaning is to overcome the interference and provide the receiving equipment with the ability to recognize the received data.
There are also some technical nuances. So, when using adapters in a local area network, the signal modulation is not used by the adapters. Since this is necessary only when the transmission is on narrow-band communication lines (telephone channels of the tonal frequency can be used as such).
Access function
The following function is used when interacting with the data broadcast environment. It is used in cases where it is necessary to gain access by a certain algorithm.
This is necessary due to the operation of a shared data transmission medium. But there has been a tendency to abandon this approach in favor of individual computer communication channels with network communication devices (similar to what is done in wired telephony).
Conversion and synchronization function
Conversion and synchronization are necessary to provide readable data. So, thanks to the adapter, information can be converted from serial to parallel and vice versa. This is necessary because in order to simplify the synchronization task (as well as to reduce the cost of communication lines), data is transferred gradually - one bit after another. For comparison, in a computer, information moves byte by byte.
Regarding synchronization, we can say that it is necessary to maintain constant conflict-free interaction between the receiver and the data transmitter. This task is successfully solved by the adapter, thanks to special coding methods, where an additional bus with clock synchronization signals is not used.
Thanks to this method, a periodic change in the state of the signal is transmitted easily. In addition to problems with synchronization at the bit level, the adapter solves similar problems with relative bytes and frames.
Technical features
The adapters are distinguished by the internal data bus and the technology used. So, if we talk about the first case, then there can be the following types:
With network technologies, not everything is so simple. Usually, one adapter supports one of them. But, despite this, information is transmitted without problems. This is achieved due to the fact that different media are used. For example, one of the most popular technologies - Ethernet - can easily support coaxial and fiber optic cables or unshielded twisted pair cables.
If the adapter can only support one environment, then converters and transceivers are used. What are these devices?
Transceivers and Converters
Transceivers are also called transceivers. They are part of the network adapter and represent its terminal device, which goes to the cable. Although, it should be noted that initially they were located on the cables (if we consider the first Ethernet standard), but then it was decided that it was more convenient to place it on the adapter.
Instead of a transceiver, you can use a converter. He is engaged in the coordination of information using various data transmission media. An example is the local home network, which uses twisted pair with a coaxial cable.
Conclusion
Well, the task is completed - the terminology and features of the adapters are explained. Now there should be no questions about the name of the device for the interconnection of one computer with other computers. In addition, we examined what functions are performed by the adapters, which development path they went through, and how they can be improved without major changes. For in-depth study of the topic of the information provided is not enough, but as the beginning of the study of the construction of physical data transfer, it will be useful to you.