Peripheral Component Interconnect

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) is an industry condition for connecting hardware devices to a computer's central processor. Both Ethernet and Wi-Fi network adapters for desktop and notebook computers usually utilize PCI.

PCI defines the electrical characteristics and signal protocol used for two devices to converse over a computer's central bus. PCI network adapters and other devices be in more than a few different shapes and sizes called "form factors."

Besides traditional Ethernet PCI cards that manufacturers pre-install in desktop computers, ordinary PCI form factors for consumer network devices are:

* Card Bus - also Wi-Fi or Ethernet PC Card (also known as PCMCIA or "credit card") network adapters
* Mini PCI - Wi-Fi network cards fixed inside notebook computers