| Network cards are the backbone of any network. | | | | away with traditional networking through cables. |
| The Network interface card or the network card is a | | | | These are gaining popularity as Wi-Fi hotspots are |
| hardware device that allows a computer to be | | | | mushrooming all over the world. Most new laptop |
| connected to a network, and through the network | | | | computers are now available with pre-installed |
| to other computers and devices. It is installed in one | | | | wireless network cards that are an integral part of |
| of the free peripheral connect interface (PCI) slots of | | | | the hardware. Wireless network cards that fit into |
| a computer and includes a port in which the | | | | the PCMCIA slots are available for older laptops and |
| networking cable is inserted. There are different NICs | | | | similar cards are also available for regular desktop |
| for different networks even if the computer is the | | | | computers.A wireless network card can communicate |
| same. For example, if a computer is to be connected | | | | only with a wireless router or a wireless access point. |
| to an Ethernet LAN, it must be equipped with an | | | | It is important that the wireless network card or |
| Ethernet network card and if it is to be connected to | | | | adapter should work at the same speed and with the |
| a wireless LAN, a wireless network card needs to be | | | | same coverage as the wireless router. |
| installed.Wireless network cards allow you to do | | | | |