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