Network interface controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:24, 15 April 2005

Revision as of 16:10, 15 April 2005

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[[Image:Network_card.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A transitional network card''' with both BNC "[[Thinnet]]" (left) and Twisted pair (right) connectors.]]

A '''network card''' (also called '''network adapter''', '''network interface card''', '''NIC''', etc.) is a piece of [[computer hardware]] designed to provide for [[computer communication]] over a [[computer network]].

The card implements the''' electronic circuitry required to communicate using a specific [[physical layer]] and [[data link layer]] standard such as [[ethernet]] or [[token ring]]. This provides a base for a full network [[protocol stack]], allowing communication among small groups of computers on the same [[LAN]] and large-scale network communications through routable protocols, such as [[Internet Protocol|IP]].

A network card typically has a [[twisted pair]], [[BNC connector|BNC]], or [[Attachment Unit Interface|AUI]] socket where the network cable is connected, and a few [[Light-emitting diode|LED]]s to inform the user of whether the network is active, and whether or not there is data being transmitted on it.