NIC (Network Interface Card)
- Short for Network Interface Card, the NIC is also referred to as an Ethernet card and network adapter. It is an expansion card that enables a computer to connect to a network; such as a home network, or the Internet using an Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector.
- Wireless network cardDue to the popularity and low cost of the Ethernet standard, most new computers have a network interface build directly into the motherboard. The top image shows the SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI network card, one of the more common examples.
- The bottom picture shows a PC Card, more specifically the SMC EZ Card 10/100 wireless network card; found in laptop computers that do not have onboard wireless capabilities.
- A network interface controller (NIC, also known as a network interface card, network adapter, LAN adapter, and by similar terms) is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.
- Early network interface controllers were commonly implemented on expansion cards that plugged into a computer bus. The low cost and ubiquity of the Ethernet standard means that most newer computers have a network interface built into the motherboard.
Very informative post about NICs! The explanation of how wired and wireless network interface cards function is really clear and useful for beginners. For anyone learning about networking, it is also interesting to see how servers rely on similar components for connectivity and performance. If you are planning to experiment with networking setups or host projects, a vps server pro can be a great option to get flexibility, speed, and control at an affordable cost. Thanks for the detailed write-up!
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