Network interface cards (NICs) are installed in a computer to allow it to communicate with a network. They provide a transparent interface between the network and the computer. The computer gives the NIC a message for another networked device and the NIC formats that message for transport over the media. The reverse is also true, the NIC receives messages from the network and reformats them so that the computer can understand. NICs have their own CPU (central processing unit) and RAM (random access memory).



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by drake
last modified: 2004-11-26 09:49:50