1394 Net Adapter

The 1394 net adapter is an old type of port available in many Windows XP computers. They are considered as a backup port to the Ethernet port. Compared to the Xp Ethernet ports, the 1394 netadapter is much faster, usually delivering up to 400 Mbps of data transfer. When the Ethernet port is down, the 1394 net adapter is an ideal alternative port for online gaming. Because of its speed, the 1394 is also called FireWire.

Aside from being a backup to the Ethernet, you can also use the 1394 net adapter as a link to two computers through the TCP/IP connection, just like in the Ethernet connection. Microsoft users will find that the 1394 net adapter is not available in other versions of Microsoft OS, like the Vista and Windows 7, and even the XP Service Pack 3. The reason for this is the use of the 1394 was soon outdated with more efficient and faster Ethernet ports.

Another use for the 1394 net adapter is very similar to the USB port. You can hook up gadgets and storage devices to the port, and enjoy fast and efficient transferring of data from your digital camera or other external storage devices.

Ethernet ports on the later Microsoft OS are more efficient today, which is why the company decided to stop the production of the 1394 net adapters on the CPUs. Moreover, the most common way to transfer data from external devices to your computer is through the USB port. Most PCs today will have two to four USB ports; two in front of the CPU, and two at the back. People use this to connect external storage devices, mobile phones, and even use it to connect to the Internet using broadband sticks.

Ethernet ports are now more powerful and much faster compared in 2003 when the 1394 FireWire was still quite an alternative norm. Microsoft and other brands of computers now prefer using the Gigabit Ethernet, which is a much faster form of connection compared to the 1394 net adapter.

If your computer runs on a Windows XP OS, you can still use the 1394 FireWire for Internet connection, data transfer protocols, and as an alternative Ethernet port whenever you need it. It still remains a decent data transfer protocol port on your computer. It is easy to use as the computer is built to recognize FireWire connections. Plug your 1394 net adapter with other computers, and they should be able to communicate efficiently with each other.