What is a good Network Card to buy for High Speed Internet?

Answer 1

You need more than a "network card" for setting up wireless networks. You need a Router w/switch and a wireless Adapter for each computer you want to put on your network.

I use the Belkin Pre-N which provides for a reliable connection speed of 108Mbps. Which is nothing to sneeze at. It also provides a much greater coverage area than other Routers. I use the Adapter which goes with the Router as I have found using hardware from the same manufacturer is much more relaible than mixing hardware, regardless of the theory you can mix without much trouble. Well, I had lots of trouble with mixing hardware.

Now, the N is not yet in final status as the next and newest from the Institute of Engineers. But I have been using this for the past six months and have had exceptional connections and the speeds I mentioned above. I also have great security features, a solid hardware firewall, MAC Filtering, and other great features.

When you are ready to set up which ever hardware you decide upon, make sure you first set up and configure the Router. After the Router is setup and has a connection, then install the Adapeter software, inserting the Adapter only when directed, not prior to installation of software and drivers. This is very important.

You also need to decide on which security you will use WEP or WPA. WPA is the most secure, but some hardware and software is not yet fully compatable with WPA. If you have to use WEP due to incompatabitity, then so be it, just be sure to utilze every other security featrue availble.

Remember, if you have slower Adapters, such as b with g your connection speed is reduce to b. So, if possible make sure all devices can utilize the same. Have everything N, or everything G or everyhting B.

Good luck in setting up and configuring your network.

Answer 2

Really, most any 10/100 network card will do- they are all going to transfer the same basic rate from your cable modem or dsl modem if open, or through your router or firewall if protected...
Unless you spent $$$ on the box, its going to be a 10/100 output or 10 if older, the 10/100/1000 are not popular yet and your card would only benefit you at those speeds if it was connected to a 10/100/1000 switch (often gigabit speed, NOT brand) but again, the bottleneck will be what comes out of the router or firewall or modem...

The big difference may be driver availability if you are using linux or non-m$ operating systems... but most cards sold today will have drivers for the major systems on CD if not already in the OS...