Ethernet ISA Card Buyer's Guide

ISA based ethernet cards offer some advantages, in that they can be used in computers which only have ISA expansion slots or have PCI slots which are already being used by other cards. They are available for both XT and AT computers, making it possible to network a wide range of computers.

Before purchasing an ethernet ISA card, the type of ISA expansion slots in the computer should first be determined. It should also be confirmed that the computer has one or more free ISA slots on its motherboard . 386, 486, Pentium, and other AT class computers usually have longer 16-bit expansion slots, while pre-286 (8086/8088/V-20) computers have short 8-bit slots. 286 computers may have 8-bit XT or 16-bit AT slots depending upon the model. Most computers with ISA slots that are in use today have 16-bit slots; however, there are some computers which lack either type of ISA slot, including some newer models, most laptops, MicroChannel systems (rare), and a few older proprietary models.

If the computer has 8-bit ISA slots, an older used XT ethernet card or a new 8-bit/16-bit card will have to be installed. A computer with 16-bit slots can use both of the above-mentioned types, along with new AT ISA cards. 8/16-bit cards are designed to function with or without the extended part of the card edge (for AT slots) plugged in. An example of an ISA ethernet card which fits in both XT and AT slots is the Netgear EA201, which is available for under $10 on eBay.com.

When searching for an ethernet ISA card on eBay.com or Google Product Search, try using the search phrase "ISA ethernet", or "8-bit ethernet" if you need an XT card. Keep in mind that searching for eight or sixteen bit cards may not bring up results for 8/16-bit cards like the EA201. Many sellers offer substantially discounted shipping on the purchase of multiple cards, as it is significantly less expensive to mail two or three network cards in the same package than to mail them individually.

Some ethernet ISA cards are referred to as "combo" units, such as the D-Link DE-220PCT (a 16-bit card) and the 3Com EtherLink III Combo. Units of this type have one or two additional networking jacks, in addition to the ethernet RJ-45 jack, thus providing greater versatility. The additional network jacks/ports are usually of the BNC or AUI type. The DE-220PCT is available on iOffer.com as well as eBay.

Another consideration when purchasing an ethernet card is the availability of drivers. Such drivers are usually either available from the manufacturer's website or on a disk included with the card. However, drivers for some older cards are no longer offered by the manufacturer, but these are sometimes provided by third-party websites. It is a good idea to check the availability of drivers before purchasing an ethernet card.

Generally, the best ethernet ISA card to purchase depends upon the type of slots in the computer it is to be installed in, any existing or potential non-ethernet networking needs, and driver availability for the operating system being used.