What is a Network Card?
| NIC (Network Interface Card) |
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What is a Network Card? The purpose of a NIC (Network Interface Cards) is to serve as a physical link so your computer can talk to the network and vice versa. NIC's are basically different from modems in the following respect: While appearing slightly similar to a modem, they are not the same and cannot perform the same functions. A NIC is used to connect to other machines in the same building, where as modem is used to connect to remote machines such as the internet. Some Nic's have status lights that indicate whether or not they are functioning. Most cards that do possess status lights have one that will constantly remain on. Cards that support the latest fast ethernet environment are usually 10/100 capable and will set themselves to the correct speed. If you have a Plug-n-Play system, you'll also find that the majority of NIC's can be automatically configured, where as on non Plug-n-Play systems this has to be done manually. Another consideration is data transfer speed. NIC's are available in 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit- and the more bits that can be transferred to the NIC, the faster it can transfer data to the network cable. One of the most important things to bear in mind when buying new network cards is the upgradability. If you plan to upgrade your network in the future choosing 10/100 cards now will mean you wont have to buy new ones when the time comes. |
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