NIC

Short for Network Interface Card, a NIC is also commonly referred to as a network adapter and is an expansion card that enables a computer to connect to a network such as a home network or the Internet using an Ethernet cable with a RJ-45 connector. To the right is a graphic example of an SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI network card, a network card commonly found in most desktop computers today that do not already have an integrated network on their motherboard.

NIC (Network Interface Card)

Stands for "Network Interface Card." Pronounced "nick," this is the card that physically makes the connection between the computer and the network cable. These cards typically use an Ethernet connection and are available in 10, 100, and 1000 Base-T configurations. A 100 Base-T card can transfer data at 100 Mbps. The cards come in ISA and PCI versions and are made by companies like 3Com and LinkSys. So if you want to connect your computer to a network, you better get yourself a NIC.