võrguadapteri

Võrguadapteri, also known as a network interface controller (NIC), network adapter, or LAN adapter, is a piece of computer hardware that connects a computer to a computer network. It acts as an interface between the computer and the network medium, such as an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi signal. The primary function of a võrguadapteri is to translate data from the computer's internal format into a format suitable for transmission over the network, and vice-versa.

Võrguadapterid can be internal or external. Internal adapters are typically expansion cards that plug into a slot on the computer's motherboard, or they can be integrated directly onto the motherboard itself. External adapters usually connect to the computer via a USB port. Modern computers often have integrated Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi capabilities, making a separate võrguadapteri less common for everyday users.

The võrguadapteri is responsible for several key tasks, including data encapsulation and decapsulation, which involve adding and removing headers and trailers to data packets. It also manages the physical transmission of data signals and detects and corrects errors during transmission. Each võrguadapteri has a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address assigned to it by the manufacturer, which serves as a physical address for devices on a local network.