Network Interface Cards ELET

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Network Interface CardsELET 5320

• By
• Devender Kasturi

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What is NIC?

• A NIC or Network Interface Card is a circuit
  board or chip, which allows the computer to
  communicate with other computers on a Network.
• Networks transmit data in Serial format to and
  computer communicates with parallel data. NIC
  takes care of serial to parallel data conversion
  and vice versa.

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Types

• Most NICs are designed for a particular type of
  network, protocol, and media, although some can
  serve multiple networks.
• Ethernet ( 10 100 Mbps)
• Token ring (4 16 Mbps)
• FDDI (100 Mbps)

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Types of Connectors.

• BNC
• The BNC connector is a round connector which is
  used for Thinnet or 10Base-2 Local Area Network.
• DB9 (RJ45 JACK)
• Used with Token Ring networks.
• DB15
• The DB15 connector is used for a Thicknet or
  10Base-5 Local area network.

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• RJ45
• One of the most popular types of connections used
  with computer networks.
• RJ45 looks similar to a phone connector or RJ11
  connector however is slightly larger.
• LED
• Indicates if the network connection is properly
  established

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NIC Functions

• NIC converts data from serial to parallel and
  vice versa
• NIC cards organize bits into orderly collections
  called packets. NIC cards check packets for
  errors or incompletion.
• NIC acts as a gatekeeper permitting incoming
  communications aimed only at its computer to pass
  through the interface and on to the CPU.

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Special-Purpose NICs

• Some devices require special adapters to be
  purchased in order to achieve network
  connectivity.
• Wireless Adapters
• Some of the components that might be included
  with this type of card are
• Indoor antenna and antenna cabling
• Software to enable the adapter to work with a
  particular network environment.
• Diagnostic software to check initial
  installation or to troubleshoot thereafter

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Special Purpose NICs

• Remote Boot Adapter
• Because diskless workstations have no storage
  space, they require special adapters that contain
  enough information to start the computer and
  access the network to download operating system
  software.
• One of the biggest advantages offered by remote
  boot adapters is cost.

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Advantages

• Convenience
• User is not required to initiate network
  connection
• Power Management
• e.g stand by mode
• Faster Registration Time
• System could be connected to the network while
  its being started
• Intelligent Switching
• Can coexist with other network adaptors

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Advantages

• Simultaneous Communication with device
• while data is still being passed using the
  device, NIC can simultaneously monitor data
  traffic, connection status, signal monitoring,
  and so on.

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References

• http//www.sierrawireless.com/pub/doc/2130212.pdf
• http//som.csudh.edu/rharris/docs/IMchap04.doc
• http//www.webopedia.com/TERM/N/network_interface_
  card_NIC.html