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A network card (also called network adapter, network interface card, NIC, etc.) is a device that physically connects your computer to a network. To place a computer on a network, you must complete the following tasks:
Install network client software or a network operating system (NOS).
Install the network card.
Configure the network card's software drivers and resources.
Connect the computer to the network, usually via cabling.
Install and configure a transport protocol.
If you want to share resources on the network, such as files and printers, you may have to install network server software as well.
Network cards used to be expansion cards to plug into a computer bus, most newer computers have a network interface built into the motherboard, so a separate network card is not required unless multiple interfaces are needed or some other type of network is used.
