However, due to funding limitations in the department as well as with the Network 21 project, this may not be feasible. Please note that 100BASE-T cards and connectors are beyond the scope of this paper. For more information about 100BASE-T options, see the Fast Ethernet and Network Expansion recommendations. While only one connector is used at a time, the multiple connectors allow you to switch easily from one type of LAN wiring to a different type of LAN wiring. For example, a combo card may have an AUI connector in addition to either a BNC or 10BASE-T connector.
Some cards have all three types of connectors.
Traditionally, combo cards have been used when a new NIC is purchased and when the LAN wiring for an area is known to be undergoing plans for an upgrade to a new type of LAN wiring. Thinnet was common before 10BASE-T wiring became available. Consider a department that is wired for Thinnet, but has plans to switch to 10BASE-T wiring soon. Coincidentally, a new workstation is purchased about 2 months before the switch from Thinnet to 10BASE-T LAN wiring. Since the new workstation will be added to the department LAN immediately, a combo card with both Thinnet and 10BASE-T connectors is purchased.