The Need for a USB to Ethernet Adapter, EAP or Extensible Authentication Protocol

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The Need for a USB to Ethernet Adapter

The Ethernet adapter is far more reliable and much more efficient when compared to the USB while using the computer for internet surfing. Also since the connection is wireless, it makes more sense to have this adapter installed. The USB to Ethernet adapter is a modern way of integrating effectiveness with speed and provides low cost solution to desktops, laptops and notebook computers.

The main purpose is to allow for free access between machines and so for this purpose the Bridge driver needs to be installed in the CPU. In the latest machines, the driver will be automatically identified and the user will be prompted on whether or not he wishes to install the same. It is ideal to have it in the system as it allows for faster transfer of data and uninterrupted broadband services. This makes the system more reliable and perfect for environments where service needs to be uninterrupted and at a higher speed than usual. Easily available for Windows users, these might prove a bit of a hassle for those with systems running on MAC operating system. Even though the USB to Ethernet adapters are available easily at low cost, the drivers for MAC based systems are rather expensive. An alternative driver called Pegasus is available for them, which is economical and just as effective. When the USB cable is inserted it should throw up a screen that states that a new port has been added.

What is a USB to Ethernet Adapter

While connecting an external device to the computer one makes use of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports available either in the front or rear side of the motherboard. Once the cable is put in place, it enables easy use of the local area network, or connection between two or more computers. Most of the external peripherals use a USB port for connection with the main computer. Since it is a plug and play system, it can be used for any kind of device as long as the related cable is put in place. The latest versions of USB supports up to 480 Mbps of data transfer which is phenomenally large when compared to the ones available earlier. In order to work faster and for the broadband connection to be fully utilized, USB to an Ethernet adapter needs to be installed. This requires special drives which first have to be put in place following which the user can enjoy unlimited internet access.

EAP or Extensible Authentication Protocol

EAP was lately introduced as the newest PPP authentication protocol with MS CHAP V2 based features. During the authentication phase EAP is not in the picture! That's the biggest difference between EAP and other methods. EAP does not perform any sort of authentication, it in-fact only negotiates the actual EAP type and the user authentication is done by the Domain controller which hold the user database or a RADIUS (Remote Dial-in User Service) which works are an agent to get user credentials verified against a Domain Controller.

Until MS-CHAP V2, this authentication was happening only at the NAS server with the user database but with EAP, it's against a central user database holder or a Domain Controller only.

EAP is a new PPP authentication protocol that allows for an arbitrary authentication method. Once the user is connected over PPP, NAS server immediately collects the user credentials and sends them over to a RADIUS or Domain Controller for verification.