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If your computer has Firewire, you'll see a 1394 network adapter in your configuration. It can be used for networking, but I don't recommend it.
I'm running a Gateway GT 4016 computer running XP service pack 2, from the start button I can push "network connections" and I see 2 network connections. I have one labeled Nile which I run my 2 machine home network on, the other is labeled 1394 network adapter. The one labeled Nile, runs at 100 Mbps, the one labeled 1394, runs that 400 Mbps. The Nile connection seems to be run by nVidia nforce drivers, and the 1394 connection seems to be run by Microsoft with VIA OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller drivers. Why do I have a two connectors and the slowest one seems to be the only one that I can run my home network on. Is it possible to use the other, faster network?
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I have the same connection, and no, I'm not aware of an easy way to use it for networking. It's possible, but in practice, that's not why it's there at all.
You might know 1394 by another name: Firewire.
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IEEE 1394 is the industry standard for a an external data connection also known as "Firewire" (trademarked by Apple), i.Link and a few other marketing monikers.
They all boil down to the same thing: a high speed external interface for data transfer.
Since you're seeing 1394 in your network connections, chances are you have one or more 1394 ports on your machine. They're easy to identify by their distinctively shaped socket. Here's a picture of the side of my MacBook Pro that shows the three common interfaces side-by-side:
Naturally the placement on your own machine might be quite different.
USB and 1394 are sometimes considered "rival" interfaces, since they do many of the same things. 1394 has a slight advantage in popularity for streaming media - if your video camera has a digital interface, chances are it's 1394. USB has an advantage for random peripherals like mice, keyboards and the ever popular USB FlashDrive. And both 1394 and USB are often used for external hard disk drives.
So why does 1394 show up as a networking interface?
It is possible to use a 1394 interface for limited networking. You can, for example, use 1394 to create machine-to-machine network. Naturally, both machines must have the 1394 hardware interface and the appropriate 1394 cable must be used to connect them. Much like networking with a single ethernet cable, I'd expect additional protocols might be required, or additional configuration steps needed in the TCP/IP configuration (since IP addresses would have to be assigned manually.)
But, in all honesty, that's not what 1394 was really designed for. While it might be possible, I wouldn't recommend it, as you won't find a lot of how-to information.
And you certainly cannot use your IEEE 1394 interface to connect to an existing ethernet based network. At least, not without some kind of adapter hardware, and I'm not sure that hardware even exists.
And lastly, rumor has it that 1394 networking ability has been removed from Windows Vista.
My recommendation is to use the interfaces for what they're best at and most commonly used for: USB for peripherals, 1394 for video cameras and perhaps external hard drives, and ethernet for networking. You'll get the best results, and the best support for your efforts, by following those common paths.
Article C2939 - February 20, 2007 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
October 17, 2010 10:11 PM
I thought the 1394 adapter was for telephone dial up Internet? That is what I have used it for. Since it has a standard telephone connector, how else would you connect to the Internet on dial up?
It worked for me for years. BTW, I think the 400Mbps is a max rating which most will never get close.
18-Oct-2010
October 7, 2011 12:56 AM
Installed XP64 for more memory use.
I can't get the internet on. Ethernet cable good, blue and green leds are on, but via 1394 no connection. With XP it was always good. I see 400mbs working but no packages are send. How to solve? HP WX9300
March 9, 2012 6:45 PM
I agree with you Leo, on what you think about the 1394 fire wire connection, just leave it for what it should be used for and think that is a good idea, so you summed it all up for me and wanted to use it for internet connection but it has no configuration like isp address or anything it running but will not connect to internet but connects to both my computers so will use it for what it was meant to be used for and hook me up a external hard drive or some other kind of storage device, good idea, Leo. TY
April 23, 2012 8:30 AM
Hello Leo Thanks.. my scenario when I was installing Win server 2003 in Sony laptop for training purposes.. I understood that I'll be missing a lot of drivers since MS and hardware maker didn't target the device to hold server applications.. but still still the 1394 net adapter was showing even though I didn't have that adapter while at the same time I wasn't able to connect.. I had to use generic network drivers from intel chip maker to enable my connection though still 1394 card shows.. other wise man you are doing great job in here.
May 19, 2012 6:47 AM
THANK YOU sooooo MUCH! the icon popped up recently - and i could NOT for the life of me figure out what the heck was going on on my internet connectivity/network! phew!