Network interface controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:48, 4 April 2025

Revision as of 11:49, 4 April 2025

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== Purpose ==

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, provides a low-level addressing system through the use of [[MAC address]]esaddresses that are uniquely assigned to network interfaces.

== Implementation ==