Verkkoliitäntäohjain
Verkkoliitäntäohjain, often referred to as a network interface controller (NIC), is a piece of computer hardware that connects a computer to a computer network. It acts as the interface between the computer's internal bus and the network medium. The verkkoliitäntäohjain is responsible for preparing data for network transmission and receiving data from the network. This involves encapsulating data into packets, managing network protocols, and handling the physical transmission and reception of signals. Modern computers often have integrated verkkoliitäntäohjaimet built directly into the motherboard, while in older systems or for specialized needs, they could be expansion cards. These controllers are essential for any device that needs to communicate with other devices over a network, whether it's a local area network (LAN) or the internet. They translate digital information from the computer into a format that can be transmitted over the network cables or wireless signals and vice versa. The performance and capabilities of a verkkoliitäntäohjain can vary, affecting the speed and reliability of network connections.