External LAN adapter
An external LAN adapter is a USB (universal serial bus) device that grants access to a LAN (local area network) through a wired or wireless connection. It serves as an interface between the computer and the network, assisting with communication and data exchange.
External LAN adapters are used in situations where a computer doesn't have an integrated NIC (network interface card) or when additional network connectivity options are needed. External LAN adapters come in various forms, such as USB Ethernet adapters for wired connections or USB Wi-Fi adapters for wireless networks.
With the continued proliferation of wireless technology, Ethernet ports are nearly non-existent on laptop computers and are less ubiquitous than they used to be on desktop PCs. Adapters like the one in the image can provide newer USB devices with Ethernet functionality and facilitate LAN connections with older computers.