Network interface controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:53, 12 October 2004

Revision as of 10:57, 12 October 2004

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

A '''network card''' (also called '''network adapter''', '''network [[interface]] [card]''', 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 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]] or [[BNC connector]] 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.

==Notable manufacturers==

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*[[TCP Offload Engine]] (TOE)

*[[Host Bus Adapter]] (HBA)

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