network interface card (NIC)
A network interface card (NIC) is a computer circuit board or card that is installed
in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. Personal computers and workstations on a
local area network (LAN) typically contain a network interface card specifically designed for the
LAN transmission technology, such as Ethernet or
token
ring. Network interface cards provide a dedicated, full-time connection to a network. Most home
and portable computers connect to the Internet through as-needed dial-up connection. The modem
provides the connection interface to the Internet service provider.
Contributor(s): Jason Alvich, Hendrik Brink, and Kevin Williams
This was last updated in July 2000
Dig Deeper
-
Forrester Research analyst Andre Kindness shares big picture predictions for network technology trends in 2012: the rise of Huawei and why networkers need software skills
-
At USENIX LISA 2011, a session on women in information technology raised eyebrows and questions. If the industry favors men, how do we achieve equality in the workplace?
-
Lindi Horton explains how to provide the fastest Internet sharing speed to a client when many users are trying to access the internet as well as potential issues and solutions.
-
People who read this also read...