Ethernet operates at layer 2 of the Open Systems Interconnect, or OSI, model. In other words, it relies on an address unique to the hardware installed on each network adapter, instead of a routable, transferable IP address. Ethernet is more efficient in smaller network environments, but large groups of PCs connected via Ethernet -- including the Internet itself -- benefit from segmentation. There are many ways to segment an Ethernet network.
Ubuntu offers a free alternative to mainstream operating systems, placing a fully-featured graphical interface over the low-level Linux kernel. The traditional command-line approach works for most tasks in Ubuntu, though you may find the point-and-click method more familiar and intuitive. The Linux program Ethtool reads your Ethernet card settings and displays them in a command-line window, while the Connection Information applet shows these settings in a graphical window. These tools make your Ethernet ports, link modes, speed, IP address, subnet mask and other information easy to access.
A fried Ethernet jack on a device won't respond to other devices when it's supposed to be used. Additionally, the computer may report errors with the device or be unable to find it. The possible symptoms of a fried Ethernet jack involve the activity lights staying dark when a cable is plugged in, the connection constantly drops out and the connection not working at all.
Most Ethernet card installation CDs ship with setup wizards that install drivers in Windows. Often, installing Ethernet drivers in Windows requires little more than inserting the CD, clicking "Setup" and then selecting the default options. For many Ethernet cards, you may not need an external installer because Windows contains built-in drivers for many common cards that it is installs by default. If Windows does not have a built-in driver, though, and the manufacturer offers only an "INF" file for the card -- without an automated installer -- you can install the driver from the command line.