Natural-Microsystems-Watson-II D-Link-DI-524 Xircom-PS-CE2-10-Credit-Card Ethernet-Adapter US-ROBOTICS_CJE-0340_SPORTSTER CentreCOM-AT-MR112T-Repeater Apple-M0329-Ethernet Trendnet-TEW-423PI-Wireless-PCI-Adapter Realtek-RTL8139D SMC-Ultrachip-83C790-ISA-network-card Cisco-Gigabit-Fibre-Module p2

Computer Network
Wired Network
Wireless Network

Computer Network

A computer network are two or more computers that are connected with one another for the purpose of communicating data electronically. Computers use network interfaces connected to hubs, switches, routers, and modems. The interfaces are connected to these ‘hubs’ either using wired or using wireless technologies.

The display has connected a number of network interfaces with hubs, routers and modems from different eras. It’s a ‘fun’ display and is not functional in any way. In theory you could hook-up coaxial 10 Mbit cable with, 100 Mbit ethernet and then with Gigabit Fibre!

Note the display has:

  • gray phone line cable,
  • black coax cable,
  • blue ethernet cable,
  • orange fiber cable

Wired Networks

Wired Network Interfaces

Realtek RTL8139D PCI Ethernet Adapter

Year: 2007
Speed: 10/100 Mbps

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_interface_controller

A network interface controller (NIC, also known as, network adapter or network card) is a component that connects a computer to a computer network. This NIC was a popular desktop model!

Cisco 30-0759-01 GBIC Gigabit Fibre Module

Year:
Speed: 1 Gbps
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_interface_converter

A gigabit interface converter (GBIC) is a standard for transceivers, commonly used with Ethernet and Fibre. This one would plug into a distribution switch or router connecting floors or buildings together.

Xircom Credit Card Ethernet Adapter

Year: 2009
Speed: 10/100 Mbps
Used In: Laptops, Pocket PC devices

SMC Ultrachip Coax NIC ISA Network Card

Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) was a 16-bit bus used in the IBM PC/AT that accepted display cards, network cards and more. It was later replaced by PCI. This one was used at the School of Computer Science in a desktop computer the year ~2000.

Natural Microsystems Watson II

Year: 1986
Speed: 1200bps/2400bps

Modem card used in a desktop computer to connect to the internet via a telephone line.

Wired Hubs, switches, routers and modems

Apple Ethernet Thin Coax Transceiver

Apple Ethernet Thin Coax Transceiver

Year: 1993
Usage: This transceiver allowed devices that used Apple Ethernet ports to connect to thin coax networks.

US Robotics 56K faxmodem

US Robotics 56K faxmodem

Year: 1998
Speed: 56 Kbps

Was used by desktop computers to connect to the internet via a telephone line.

Here is the sound a modem use to make attempting to connect to a remote server

Allied Telesis CentreCOM AT-MR112T Repeater

Wireless Networks

Wireless Network Interfaces

Trendnet TEW 423PI PCI Wireless Adapter

Year: 2008
Speed: 54 Mbps

This is a desktop card that can be used to connect to your PC to a home wireless network.

Wireless routers

D-Link DI-524

Year: 2003
Speed: 54 Mbps
Frequency: 2.4 GHz