![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.practicallynetworked.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/netgear_fa120_usb20.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAuthor: Roy Santos
\nReview Date: 1\/13\/2003<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Model Number: <\/b>FA120 ($40)<\/p>\n
Introduction<\/b>
\nHow much would it be worth to you to never have to open your PC(s) again to install another expansion card? One of the promises of USB devices was just that. But after a few years, we’re still reluctantly opening our systems to add new or better capabilities. If you want the fastest throughput with your network card at the lowest price, then an internal PCI network adapter has been the way to go. But with many new computer systems now sporting USB 2.0 ports, you can get both speed and ease of installation, albeit at a slightly higher price. Netgear enters this blossoming market with its own USB 2.0 Fast Ethernet adapter, which aims to give high throughput while simplifying maintenance and installation on PCs.<\/p>\n
Pros<\/b><\/p>\n Cons<\/b><\/p>\n Basic Features<\/b> Setup\/Installation<\/b>\n
\n
\nThe Netgear FA120 is an unremarkable dark blue rectangular box that measures about 3 inches by 1.5 inches. One end of the box houses the RJ-45 jack to connect it to your network cable. The other end connects to a USB port via the USB cable provided in the box. Two small green lights go on or flash to indicate power or network activity. Netgear’s adapter comes with a reassuring five-year warranty, for which it earns huge points, especially when compared to the competition’s offerings.<\/p>\n
\nInstalling the network adapter should be a cinch for those who own USB 2.0-equipped machines. My test desktop has several USB ports, but they’re all v1.1, the slower version of the USB specification. Though the adapter would still work with it, it couldn\u2019t reach very high throughput. So, I installed a USB 2.0 adapter, a process that took about 15 minutes. (The adapter costs about $40.) Installing the network adapter itself, however, only took about five minutes. I hooked it to the new USB 2.0 port, connected a network cable to it, and then was on the network without much effort. The setup CD includes drivers for different versions of Microsoft Windows. A quick installation guide also draws out separate step-by-step instructions for various Windows systems.<\/p>\n