1. 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.

2. - Prepare data from the computer for the network cable.
- Send the data to another computer.
- Control the flow of data between the computer and the
cabling system.
- Receive incoming data from the cable and translate it into
bytes that can be understood by the computer's central
processing unit (CPU).
ROLE OF THE NIC

3. Shows a server converting
parallel data to serial data on the
network. This is accomplished
through the translation of the
computer's digital signals into
electrical or optical signals that
can travel on the network's
cables. The component
responsible for this is the
transceiver (transmitter/receiver).
Parallel data stream converted to a serial data stream

4. Network interface card showing external and on-board transceivers
Shows a NIC with both on-
board and external
transceivers. In this case,
you would have to decide
which transceiver to use
and then make the
appropriate choice on your
card.

5. A thinnet network connection
uses a coaxial BNC connector

6. A thicknet network
connection uses a 15-pin
attachment unit interface
(AUI) cable to connect the
15-pin (DB-15) connector on
the back of the NIC to an
external transceiver.

7. The RJ-45 connector is similar to
a RJ-11 telephone connector
but is larger in size and has eight
conductors; a RJ-11 only has 4
conductors.

8. A wireless network interface
device with a USB interface and
internal antenna
Bluetooth card