Võrguliideseid

Võrguliideseid, commonly referred to as network interfaces or network adapters, are the hardware components that enable a computer or device to connect to a network. They act as the intermediary between the device's internal systems and the external network infrastructure. This connection can be wired, typically using Ethernet cables, or wireless, utilizing Wi-Fi technology.

Each network interface has a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address, a hardware identifier permanently assigned by the manufacturer, which is used for communication at the data link layer of the network model. The interface translates the digital data from the device into a format suitable for transmission over the network medium and vice versa, converting incoming network signals back into data the device can understand.

Modern computers and many other electronic devices, such as smartphones, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, come with integrated network interfaces. Standalone network interface cards (NICs) are also available, allowing for upgrades or the addition of networking capabilities to devices that lack them. The performance of a network interface, measured in speed (e.g., Mbps or Gbps) and reliability, is crucial for overall network experience.