NETWORK INTERFACE NETWORK INTERFACE CARD(NIC)CARD(NIC)

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION A network interface card, more commonly referred A network interface card, more commonly referred

to as a NIC, is a device that allows computers to be to as a NIC, is a device that allows computers to be joined together in a LAN, or local area network .joined together in a LAN, or local area network .

The network interface card acts as the liaison for The network interface card acts as the liaison for the machine to both send and receive data on the the machine to both send and receive data on the LAN .LAN .

In computer networking, a In computer networking, a NICNIC provides the provides the hardware interface between a computer and a hardware interface between a computer and a network.network.

Network interface cardNetwork interface card

Network cards Network cards are typically are typically available in available in 10/100/1000 10/100/1000 Mbit/s varieties. varieties. This means they This means they can support a can support a notional notional maximum maximum transfer rate of transfer rate of 10, 100 or 1000 10, 100 or 1000 Megabits per Megabits per

second.second.

This old ‘combo’ NIC accepts both BNC (coaxial) and RJ45

(UTP) connectors.

Need Of NICs Need Of NICs Most computer networks transfer data Most computer networks transfer data

across a medium at a fixed rate, often faster across a medium at a fixed rate, often faster than the speed at which computers can than the speed at which computers can process individual bits.process individual bits.

To accommodate the mismatch in speed, To accommodate the mismatch in speed, each computer attached to a network each computer attached to a network contain special purpose hardware known as contain special purpose hardware known as a network interface card (NIC).a network interface card (NIC).

The NIC functions like an I/O device: it is The NIC functions like an I/O device: it is built for a specific network technology.built for a specific network technology.

It handles the details of frame transmission It handles the details of frame transmission or reception without requiring the CPU to or reception without requiring the CPU to process each bit.process each bit.

ETHERNET AND WIFI ETHERNET AND WIFI NICsNICs

Some NIC cards work with wired Some NIC cards work with wired connections while others are wireless. connections while others are wireless.

Most NICs support either wired Most NICs support either wired Ethernet or WiFi wireless standards. Ethernet or WiFi wireless standards.

Ethernet NICs plug into the system bus Ethernet NICs plug into the system bus of the PC and include jacks for network of the PC and include jacks for network cables.cables.

while WiFi NICs contain built-in while WiFi NICs contain built-in transmitters / receivers (transceivers). transmitters / receivers (transceivers).

Installation of NICsInstallation of NICs The most common language or protocol The most common language or protocol

for LANs is Ethernet, sometimes for LANs is Ethernet, sometimes referred to as IEEE 802.3. referred to as IEEE 802.3.

A lesser-used protocol is Token Ring.A lesser-used protocol is Token Ring. When building a LAN, a network When building a LAN, a network

interface card must be installed in each interface card must be installed in each computer on the network and all NICs in computer on the network and all NICs in the network must be of the same the network must be of the same architecture.architecture.

For example, all must either be For example, all must either be Ethernet cards, Token Ring cards, or an Ethernet cards, Token Ring cards, or an alternate technology. alternate technology.

Cont..Cont.. An Ethernet network interface card is An Ethernet network interface card is

installed in an available slot inside the installed in an available slot inside the computer.computer.

Most newer computers have a network Most newer computers have a network interface built into the motherboard.interface built into the motherboard.

A separate network card is not A separate network card is not required unless multiple interfaces are required unless multiple interfaces are needed or some other type of network needed or some other type of network is used.is used.

Newer motherboards may even have Newer motherboards may even have dual network (Ethernet) interfaces dual network (Ethernet) interfaces built-in. built-in.

WORKINGWORKING

A computer or device on a network can A computer or device on a network can be reached by its MAC (be reached by its MAC (media access media access control)control) address through the NIC card. address through the NIC card.

Every Ethernet Every Ethernet network cardnetwork card has a has a unique 48-bit serial number called a unique 48-bit serial number called a MAC address, which is stored in ROM MAC address, which is stored in ROM carried on the card.carried on the card.

The MACs on the network are used to The MACs on the network are used to direct traffic between the computers.direct traffic between the computers.

Cont..Cont.. An example of a MAC address: An example of a MAC address:

A1B2C3D4E5F6A1B2C3D4E5F6 The first 6 hex digits in the MAC The first 6 hex digits in the MAC

address is the OUI (organizationally address is the OUI (organizationally unique identifier), assigned by the IEEE unique identifier), assigned by the IEEE to each manufacturer (e.g. Cisco, Intel to each manufacturer (e.g. Cisco, Intel etc). etc).

The rest of the MAC address can be The rest of the MAC address can be assigned in any way by the assigned in any way by the manufacturer to the individual manufacturer to the individual networking devices that it manufacturesnetworking devices that it manufactures

The back plate of the network The back plate of the network interface card features a port interface card features a port that looks similar to a phone that looks similar to a phone jack, but is slightly larger.jack, but is slightly larger.

A network card typically has a A network card typically has a twisted pair, BNC, or AUI twisted pair, BNC, or AUI socket where the network socket where the network cable is connected, and a few cable is connected, and a few LEDs to inform the user of LEDs to inform the user of whether the network is active, whether the network is active, and whether or not there is and whether or not there is data being transmitted on it. data being transmitted on it.

Port In NICsPort In NICs

That port accommodates an Ethernet That port accommodates an Ethernet cable, which resembles a thicker version cable, which resembles a thicker version of a standard telephone line.of a standard telephone line.

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) e.g. CAT6 (‘Category 6’)

Network Interface Card for connection of a Network Interface Card for connection of a computer to an Ethernet Networkcomputer to an Ethernet Network

Wireless Ethernet cardsWireless Ethernet cards Wireless Ethernet cards are installed like their Wireless Ethernet cards are installed like their

wired counterparts, but rather than a port for wired counterparts, but rather than a port for an Ethernet cable, the card features a small an Ethernet cable, the card features a small antenna.antenna.

The card communicates with the central The card communicates with the central wireless switch or hub via radio waves.wireless switch or hub via radio waves.

Wireless LANs may have some restrictions Wireless LANs may have some restrictions depending on the material the building is made depending on the material the building is made from. from.

For example, lead in walls can block signals For example, lead in walls can block signals between the network interface card and hub or between the network interface card and hub or switch. switch.

NICs on networkNICs on network The card implements the electronic The card implements the electronic

circuitry required to communicate using circuitry required to communicate using a specific physical layer and data link a specific physical layer and data link layer standard such as Ethernet or token layer standard such as Ethernet or token ring. ring.

This provides a base for a full network This provides a base for a full network protocolprotocol stack, allowing communication stack, allowing communication among small groups of computers on the among small groups of computers on the same LAN and large-scale network same LAN and large-scale network communications through routable communications through routable protocols, such as IP.protocols, such as IP.

Sourabh Singh Sourabh Singh RajputRajput

SVITS INDORESVITS INDORE