computer hardware designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network. It is

both an OSI layer 1 (physical layer) and layer 2 (data link layer) device, as it provides

physical access to a networking medium and provides a low-level addressing system through

the use of MAC addresses. It allows users to connect to each other either by using cables

or wirelessly.

Although other network technologies exist, Ethernet has achieved near-ubiquity since the

mid-1990s. Every Ethernet network card has a unique 48-bit serial number called a MAC

address, which is stored in ROM carried on the card. Every computer on an Ethernet network

must have a card with a unique MAC address. No two cards ever manufactured share the same

address. This is accomplished by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

(IEEE), which is responsible for assigning unique MAC addresses to the vendors of network

interface controllers.

Whereas network cards used to be expansion cards that plug into a computer bus, the low

cost and ubiquity of the Ethernet standard means that most newer computers have a network

interface built into the motherboard. These either have Ethernet capabilities integrated

into the motherboard chipset, or implemented via a low cost dedicated Ethernet chip,

connected through the PCI (or the newer PCI express bus). A separate network card is not

required unless multiple interfaces are needed or some other type of network is used. Newer

motherboards may even have dual network (Ethernet) interfaces built-in.

The card implements the electronic circuitry required to communicate using a specific

physical layer and data link layer standard such as Ethernet or token ring. This provides a

base for a full network protocol stack, allowing communication among small groups of

computers on the same LAN and large-scale network communications through routable

protocols, such as IP.

There are four techniques used to transfer data, the NIC may use one or more of these

techniques.

Polling is where the microprocessor examines the status of the peripheral under program

control.
Programmed I/O is where the microprocessor alerts the designated peripheral by applying its

address to the system's address bus.
Interrupt-driven I/O is where the peripheral alerts the microprocessor that it's ready to

transfer data.
DMA is where the intelligent peripheral assumes control of the system bus to access memory

directly. This removes load from the CPU but requires a separate processor on the card.
A network card typically has a twisted pair, BNC, or AUI socket where the network cable is

connected, and a few LEDs to inform the user of whether the network is active, and whether

or not there is data being transmitted on it. The Network Cards are typically available in

10/100/1000 Mbit/s(Mbit/s). This means they can support a transfer rate of 10 or 100 or

1000 Megabits per second.