| Network cards are the backbone of any network. | | | | into the PCMCIA slots are available for older |
| The Network interface card or the network card | | | | laptops and similar cards are also available for |
| is a hardware device that allows a computer to | | | | regular desktop computers. |
| be connected to a network, and through the | | | | A wireless network card can communicate only |
| network to other computers and devices. It is | | | | with a wireless router or a wireless access point. |
| installed in one of the free peripheral connect | | | | It is important that the wireless network card or |
| interface (PCI) slots of a computer and includes a | | | | adapter should work at the same speed and with |
| port in which the networking cable is inserted. | | | | the same coverage as the wireless router. In |
| There are different NICs for different networks | | | | addition to the communication software that is |
| even if the computer is the same. For example, if | | | | embedded in the network interface card's (NIC's) |
| a computer is to be connected to an Ethernet | | | | ROM, the computer also requires networking |
| LAN, it must be equipped with an Ethernet | | | | software to be installed for the network to be |
| network card and if it is to be connected to a | | | | functional. Both the software and the NIC have to |
| wireless LAN, a wireless network card needs to | | | | adhere to the communication protocols of the |
| be installed. | | | | network to which the computer is to be |
| Wireless network cards allow you to do away | | | | connected. |
| with traditional networking through cables. These | | | | Wireless network cards have increased the |
| are gaining popularity as Wi-Fi hotspots are | | | | mobility by allowing people to work from any |
| mushrooming all over the world. Most new laptop | | | | location which is Wi-Fi enabled and have also |
| computers are now available with pre-installed | | | | helped in doing away with the hassles associated |
| wireless network cards that are an integral part | | | | with installation of traditional wired networks. |
| of the hardware. Wireless network cards that fit | | | | |