A network card (network adapter, network card, NIC - Network Interface card) is usually called a specialized component of a computer that provides communication and data transfer between several computers in a network.
Network cards are divided into:
- integrated into the motherboard (mainly in laptops);
- external, requiring connection to a computer.
External network cards, in turn, differ in the way they are connected to a computer and the bus through which data is exchanged between the motherboard and the network card. Today, the most widespread are network cards with a twisted pair connector and wireless.
The main characteristics of network cards are:
- bit depth - 8, 16, 32 and even 64 bits;
- data bus - ISA, EISA, VL-Bus, PCI;
- controller microcircuit (chip);
- support for network transmission medium - BNC, RJ45, AUI;
- speed;
- FullDuplex;
- MAC address.
Differences in the interface determine the difference in configuring network cards, although the vast majority of modern devices support Plug & Play technology.
The generic drivers included in operating systems allow you to use all the basic functions of the latest generation of network adapters. Drivers offered by the manufacturer of the network card have a wide range of features.
Of particular note are the cards based on USB technology, which enhances usability and ease of use. a necessary requirement in this case is the support of the USB 2.0 version by the computer's motherboard.
Additional arguments when choosing a network card can be:
- Support for the adapter Boot ROM technology, which provides the ability to boot a computer without a hard drive over the network;
- support by the card of the Wake On Lan technology, which is responsible for the function of turning on the computer over the network;
- a set of indicators for the rear panel of the selected card model.
Recommended NIC manufacturers are Intel and 3Com. Also noteworthy are the products of CNet, LG, Surecom, Allied Telesyn, B-Link and SMC.
