Verkkoliitäntäohjaimen

Verkkoliitäntäohjain, commonly known as a network interface controller (NIC) or network card, is a hardware component that connects a computer or other device to a computer network. It acts as an intermediary between the device's internal bus and the network cable or wireless signal, translating data into a format that can be transmitted over the network and vice-versa. The NIC is responsible for tasks such as framing network data, media access control, and sending and receiving data packets.

Modern computers often have integrated NICs built directly into the motherboard, while older systems or specialized applications might use expansion cards that plug into slots like PCI or PCIe. These controllers come in various forms, supporting different network speeds and types, such as Ethernet for wired networks and Wi-Fi for wireless. The functionality of a NIC is crucial for any device that needs to communicate with other devices on a network, whether for accessing the internet, sharing files, or participating in online gaming. Without a functional network interface controller, a device would be isolated and unable to connect to any network.