What is Parallels Shared Networking Adapter?

[SquintKid]

When I go to the System Preferences - Network, I can see two network adapters that I'm not sure of and what they do...

Parallels Shared Networking Adapter and
Parallels Host-Only Networking Adapter

both are active.

I have Parallels Desktop installed but I rarely even use it. Do these adapters have anything to do with it?

 

[belvdr]

Yes, those are what enable your guest operating systems to communicate with the outside world or the host operating system, respectively.