What is NIC

A NIC (Network Interface Card) provides the hardware interface between a computer and a network. These days, almost all new computer motherboards have in-built NIC (Network Interface Card).

Some NIC (Network Interface Card) cards are meant for wired networks while others are for wireless network. Most widely used wired LAN Technology is Ethernet. Ethernet based NIC (Network Interface Card) cards are available in every local electronic hardware shops. Normal speed rating of Ethernet based wired NIC (Network Interface Card) available these days are 10/100/1000 Mbps (Mega bits per second).

Every computer participating in network must have at least one NIC. Computers can have more than one NIC card also, if required.

Every NIC (Network Interface Card) has a 48-bit globally unique identifier called as MAC Address (Media Access Control Address) burned into its ROM chip. This MAC address is used to deliver Ethernet Frames (packets) to a computer.

The NIC driver software passes the data between the Operating System and the NIC. Latest Operating Systems include different NIC driver software for almost all major NIC vendors. If your NIC card is not detected or not working, you must find a suitable NIC driver software from the NIC vendor's website and install it on the computer.

Chapter 1 :- Introduction to Computer Networking

Chapter 2 :- What is a Computer Network

Chapter 3 :- Why we need computer networks

Chapter 4 :- Client Operating Systems

Chapter 5 :- Common Network Application Software

Chapter 6 :- LAN and WAN

Chapter 7 :- CAN and MAN

Chapter 8 :- Peer-to-Peer networks and Client-Server networks

Chapter 9 :- Centralized and Distributed Computer Networks

Chapter 10 :- Internetworks, Internet, Intranet and Extranet

Chapter 11 :- What is a Network Protocol

Chapter 12 :- Difference between Proprietary and Standard Protocols