Today, in the globalized world, a fast internet connection is essential. Accessing the web opens the doors of information and communication in a matter of minutes. You can do it by a WiFi connection, or through an Ethernet network.
The most common is to connect by WiFi, since it is much more practical and convenient, but do not underestimate the connection speed that you can achieve with a Ethernet network.
If what you need is faster navigation, then you should know how to configure an Ethernet network in Windows 8 to have a faster Internet. Keep reading this step-by-step guide to find out how to achieve it.
Learn step by step how to configure an Ethernet connection for the Internet to fly in Windows 8
Set up an Ethernet connection to make the internet go faster in Windows 8 it is not a complicated task. First of all, you just have to connect the network cable from the router to the computer. Next, you have to identify which is your network card.
To do this, follow this step by step:
Check the network cabling
The network cables they come in different presentations or categories. Currently the highest is category 8, which supports a connection speed of 40,000 Mbps. These are ideal for the power of fiber optic connections. On the other hand, for a typical 100 Mbps connection Category 5 cable is recommended, since it is more than sufficient and economical.
Multiple factors depend on the quality of the cable, for example: download speed, maximum speed and frequency. For that reason, we recommend make sure your network cable can withstand the power of a higher connection, before configuring your network card.
Determine the values of your network card
It is common for modern computers to have a network card that is capable of supporting a connection from 1 Gbps. It is even possible to find connections of up to 10 Gbps. Ideal for working with the speed you facilitates fiber optics today.
Older or obsolete devices are usually handled with a 100 to 1000 Mbps. If this is the case with your computer, it is recommended that you change your network card by one of greater support to get the most out of it.
To find out which connection the network card supports in Windows 8, carry out the following steps:
- Access the “Control Panel”.
- Then click “Center network and sharing”.
- In the left side barrier, click on “Change adapter settings”.
- Select the Ethernet network. It is identified as “Local Area Connection”.
- Right click on the network and then press “State”.
- A new popup window. There you can see the information corresponding to the connection with details.
In section “Speed” you can check which connection your network card supports. If the displayed number is 100 Mbps, we recommend that you quickly change your card for one with greater support.
Configure the network card
On the other hand, if the number that appears is 1 Gbps, go to the properties button and click. A new menu appears on the screen in which you must click on the option “Set up”. A pop-up window appears on the screen again. There you must select the tab “Advanced Options”. Later, in the sliding menu, locate the option “Speed and duplex”.
The default value of this property is “Automatic negotiation”. To be able to take full advantage of the connection speed, you must change this value to “1.0 Gbps Full Duplex”. In this way you will be able to enjoy a much faster internet in Windows 8.
Ethernet vs WiFi What is the best and fastest Internet connection I can use?
There are several ways to access the Internet, although as we mentioned earlier, the most common are through a Ethernet network or through a WiFi connection. But nevertheless, What is the best and fastest Internet connection that I can use?
WiFi connections are extremely common in the vast majority of homes around the world. However, it is proven that browsing through an Ethernet network is much faster. In fact, many studies highlight that WiFi loses more than 60% of the average connection. Despite new WiFi standards offering new maximum speeds per band, there are still issues that reduce wireless performance.
Such are the cases of:
- Distance, interference and the obstacles are variables that can significantly affect the optimal functioning of the WiFi. Certain building materials will be an obstacle to receive a good signal. The same is true when electromagnetic waves are present from other devices, which generate interference.
- A saturated channel it can also impoverish the performance of a WiFi network. This occurs when WiFi connections from other neighbors are on the same channel.
On the other hand, as far as network cables are concerned, you can enjoy connections of up to 10 Gbps. As long as you have a Category 5 or 6 network cable. As mentioned earlier, there are now Category 8 cables, which support a much higher connection speed.
Connection performance remains stable, and few factors can influence their impoverishment. It is recommended to use the Ethernet network cable for file transfers between multiple devices. Notably The main drawback of using an Ethernet network is the inability to move.
If you are a user who constantly change location, or work mainly with laptops, mobiles or tablets, it is best to use the WiFi connection. It can be concluded that, although the connection Ethernet provides greater benefits, it all comes down to user needs. Obviously, a person who needs to move will prefer a WiFi connection. The maximum cable speed is recommended for stationary environments such as offices or home computers.