Tarjetas de red Ethernet (RJ-45) para Mini PCI Express

How to Use Mini-PCIe for LAN

One result of the general move towards wireless is that standard RJ-45 Ethernet connections are becoming less and less common on new computers. Luckily, there are several ways to use PCI Express to add this functionality to systems that do not have it.

What is this Form Factor?

Mini-PCIe refers to a 52-pin edge connector that debuted back in 2005 as a way to add the then-new PCIe interface to laptops and other small form factor computers. You commonly find it in laptops and on Mini-ITX motherboards which needed a small form factor expansion slot and adapters to fit it.

  • Dimensions: The 52-pin connector works with mini PCI Express cards that are 30 mm long by 51 mm long. Although the cards themselves are internal, they can utilize external ports with a daughterboard.
  • Requirements: Each slot has to support both a PCIe x1 lane and a USB 2.0 link in order to support all available accessories.

What is it Used For?

The most common use of this expansion form is for different kinds of network adapters, although it can also work for additional storage. Essentially, anything that can fit on the card and doesn't need more than 1 PCI-E lane is fair game for this interface. It's one reason why it's so useful for Ethernet, as one small card can give you a 2-port PCI-Express network capability in moments.

  • Wi-Fi Adapter: Many laptops carry their Wi-Fi network adapter on one of these connectors. It allows the manufacturer to vary their delivery options and use different sources for networking. The connection also has more than enough bandwidth for 144 Mbps wireless options.
  • Ethernet Card: Although it usually requires a daughter card for the port, it's a useful option for adding a Gigabit Ethernet network card to a system that lacks native Gigabit support. The high data transfer rates of PCI Express make it a natural choice for Gigabit and even higher-speed connection options.

What Can it Do for Networking?

These cards can have a lot of networking functionality baked in. You can include everything from Wake-on-LAN to auto-negotiation so that all you need to do is plug the cable into the card and the operating system will handle the rest without even a driver CD. You can even put the daughter card on a low-profile bracket so that it will give you an RJ-45 port on the back of any tower that needs Gigabit Ethernet. Ethernet is a vital part of any business computer installation, and being able to add a wired network adapter to a computer that lacks one can be a game changer. It's not USB-C, but it's nearly as useful.

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