Network Interface Card (NIC)

Network Interface Card (NIC)

In the list of networking devices, NIC stands on first place. Without this device, networking cannot be done. This is also known as network adapter card, Ethernet Card and LAN card. NIC allows our PC to communicate with other PCs. Basically it converts data transmission technology. A PC uses parallel data transmission technology to transmit data between its internal parts while the media that connects this PC with other PCs uses serial data transmission technology. A NIC converts parallel data stream into serial data stream and vice versa serial data stream is get converted in parallel data stream.

Usually all modern PCs have integrated NICs in motherboard. NICs are also available separately. For desktop or server system they are available in adapter format which can be plugged into the available slots of motherboard. For laptop or other small size devices they available in PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card format which can be inserted in PCMCIA slots.

Types of NICs

There are two types of NICs

Media Specific :- Different types of NICs are required to connect with different types of media. For example we cannot connect wired media with wireless NIC card. Just like this, we cannot connect coaxial cable with Ethernet LAN card. We have to use the LAN card that is particularly built for the media type which we have.

Network Design Specific :- A specific network design needs a specific LAN card. For example FDDI, Token Ring and Ethernet have their own distinctive type of NICs card. They cannot use other’s NIC card.