Network interface controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:54, 25 April 2024

Revision as of 20:53, 16 July 2024

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| via2_3 = [[Fibre Channel]]

| via2_4 = [[Asynchronous Transfer Mode|ATM]]

| via2_5 = [[Fiber Distributed Data Interface|FDDI]]

| via2_6 = [[Token Ring]]

| via2_7 = [[ARCNET]]

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Network controllers were originally implemented as expansion cards that plugged into a computer bus. The low cost and ubiquity of the Ethernet standard means that most new computers have a network interface controller built into the motherboard. Newer [[Server (computing)|server]] motherboards may have multiple network interfaces built-in. The Ethernet capabilities are either [[Integrated circuit|integrated]] into the motherboard [[chipset]] or implemented via a low-cost dedicated Ethernet chip. A separate network card is typically no longer required unless additional independent network connections are needed or some non-Ethernet type of network is used. A general trend in computer hardware is towards [[System on a chip|integrating the various components of systems on a chip]], and this is also applied to network interface cards.

An Ethernet network controller typically has an [[8P8C]] socket where the network cable is connected. Older NICs also supplied [[BNC connector|BNC]], or [[Attachment Unit Interface|AUI]] connections. Ethernet network controllers typically support 10&nbsp;[[Megabit per second|Mbit/s]] Ethernet, [[Fast Ethernet|100&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet]], and [[Gigabit Ethernet|1000&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet]] varieties. Such controllers are designated as ''[[10/100/1000]]'', meaning that they can support data rates of 10, 100 or 1000&nbsp;Mbit/s. [[10 Gigabit Ethernet]] NICs are also available, and, {{As of|2014|11|lc=yes}}, are beginning to be available on [[computer motherboard]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkcomputing.com/networking/will-2014-be-the--year-of-10-gigabit-ethernet/a/d-id/1234640? |title=Will 2014 Be The Year Of 10 Gigabit Ethernet? |author=Jim O'Reilly |publisher=Network Computing |date=2014-01-22 |access-date=2015-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asrock.com/news/index.asp?id=2517 |title=Breaking Speed Limits with ASRock X99 WS-E/10G and Intel 10G BASE-T LANs |website=asrock.com |date=24 November 2014 |access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref>

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

Modular designs like [[Small form-factor pluggable transceiver|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.

[[Light-emitting diode|LEDsLED]]s adjacent to or integrated into the network connector inform the user of whether the network is connected, and when data activity occurs.

The NIC may include [[ROM]] to store its factory-assigned [[MAC address]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.itprotoday.com/cloud-computing/how-can-i-change-network-adapter-cards-mac-address |title=How can I change a network adapter card's MAC address? |author=John Savill |date=Nov 12, 2000 |access-date=2023-11-06}}</ref>