network interface card (NIC) To connect to a network, a computer uses a network interface card (NIC). A NIC controls the wired and wireless connections of a computer to exchange information with other computers and the Internet

con A computer uses a network interface card (NIC) to become part of a network. The NIC contains the electronic circuitry required to communicate using a wired connection (e.g., Ethernet) or a wireless connection (e.g., WiFi). A network interface card is also known as a network interface controller, network adapter, or Local Area Network (LAN) adapter

Summary Network connectivity is key for modern computers. To connect to a network a computer uses a network interface card or controller (NIC). This is often built into the motherboard. The two most common types of network connections are Ethernet (wired) and WiFi (wireless).

NIC

MOTHERBOARD CONECTION

type of nic 1 - Ethernet The most widely used network connection for personal computers is an Ethernet connection. Ethernet is really a standard for computer network technologies that describes both the hardware and the communication protocols.

con Since Ethernet is so widely used, most modern computers have a NIC built into the motherboard. A separate network card is not required, unless some other type of network is used. The figure below shows an Ethernet connection built into a motherboard. Several other connections are located directly adjacent to the Ethernet connection

connection An Ethernet connection uses a standard interface known as a RJ45 connector. RJ stands for registered jack.

RJ45

2- Wireless Connection While most desktop computers rely on a wired connection, mobile computing devices such as laptops, tablets and smart phones use a wireless connection. The most widely used system for wireless connections is WiFi, which relies on radio signals.

MAC address of NIC Every network controller for an IEEE 802 network such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Token Ring, and every FDDI network controller, has a unique 48-bit serial number called a MAC address, which is stored in read-only memory. Every computer on an Ethernet network must have at least one controller. Normally it is safe to assume that no two network controllers will share the same address, because controller vendors purchase blocks of addresses from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and assign a unique address to each controller at the time of manufacture

CON The NIC allows computers to communicate over a computer network. It is both an OSI layer 1 (physical layer) and layer 2 (data link layer) device, as it provides physical access to a networking medium and, for IEEE 802 networks and FDDI, provides a low-level addressing system through the use of MAC addresses