network interface unit
Home > Networking Definitions - Network interface unit
SearchNetworking.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)
EMAIL THIS
LOOK UP TECH TERMS Powered by: WhatIs.com
Search listings for thousands of IT terms:
Browse tech terms alphabetically:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

network interface unit



Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   

DEFINITION - A network interface unit (NIU) (sometimes called a network interface device) is a device that serves as a commmon interface for various other devices within a local area network (LAN), or as an interface to allow networked computers to connect to an outside network. The NIU enables communication between devices that use different protocols by supplying a common transmission protocol, which may be used instead of the devices' own protocols, or may be used to convert the specific device protocol to the common one. To enable an interface between a LAN and another network, the NIU converts protocols and associated code and acts as a buffer between the connected hardware. A network interface card (NIC) is a type of NIU.

LAST UPDATED: 19 Nov 2000


Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
Wireless LAN tips from Iraq: Networking Joint Base Balad
Some wireless LAN fundamentals hold true whether you're outfitting a military base in Iraq or a branch office in Omaha.
How to set up a VLAN on multiple switches
Learn how to establish a VLAN over multiple routers in this response from a networking expert.
College IT department transforms itself with network management tools
The IT organization at Diné College used to be just a bunch of "geeks in the basement."

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
32-bit IP addressing  (SearchNetworking.com)
32-bit IP addressing is the IP address scheme used in Internet Protocol 4 (IPv6 uses a 128-bit system)... (Continued)
ARCNET  (SearchNetworking.com)
ARCNET is a widely-installed local area network (LAN) technology that uses a token-bus scheme for managing line sharing among the workstations and...




Networking & network interface unit Solutions
network interface unit Solutions for Business Success
HomeNewsTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsAsk the ExpertsMultimediaWhite PapersNetworking Product Trials
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts