Network interface controller: Difference between revisions

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The network controller implements the electronic circuitry required to communicate using a specific [[physical layer]] and [[data link layer]] standard such as [[Ethernet]] or [[Wi-Fi]].{{efn|Although other network technologies exist, Ethernet ([[IEEE 802.3]]) and Wi-Fi ([[IEEE 802.11]]) have achieved near-ubiquity as LAN technologies since the mid-1990s.}} This provides a base for a full network [[protocol stack]], allowing communication among computers on the same [[local area network]] (LAN) and large-scale network communications through routable protocols, such as [[Internet Protocol]] (IP).

The NIC allows computers to communicate over a computer network, either by using cables or wirelessly. The NIC is both a physical layer and data link layer device, as it provides physical access to a networking medium and, for [[IEEE 802]] and similar networks and, provides a low-level addressing system through the use of [[MAC address]]es that are uniquely assigned to network interfaces.

== Implementation ==

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[[File:Qle3442-cu 10gbe nic.jpg|thumb|A [[Qlogic]] QLE3442-CU SFP+ dual-port NIC]]

Modular designs like [[Small formForm-factor pluggable transceiverPluggable|SFP and SFP+]] are highly popular, especially for [[fiber-optic communication]]. These define a standard receptacle for media-dependent transceivers, so users can easily adapt the network interface to their needs.

[[LED]]s adjacent to or integrated into the network connector inform the user of whether the network is connected, and when data activity occurs.

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| publisher = [[Intel]] }}</ref>

The hardware-based distribution of the interrupts, described above, is referred to as '''[[receive-side scaling''']] (RSS).<ref name="intel-grantley">{{cite web

| url = http://www.intel.com/content/dam/technology-provider/secure/us/en/documents/product-marketing-information/tst-grantley-launch-presentation-2014.pdf

| title = Intel Look Inside: Intel Ethernet