An NIC (network interface card) is an expansion card that provides connectivity between a PC and a network such as a LAN.

Network Interface Cards are also referred to as ethernet adapters, network adapters, LAN cards, LAN adapters, or NICs (Network Interface Controllers).

Internal network interface cards (NICs) can be either built-in to the system mainboard, or plugged into an expansion slot inside the device.

One specification is the transfer rate, which is specified in Mbps (Megabits per second), or Gbps (Gigabits per second). Most modern network interface cards support up to 100Mbps, while the more expensive Gigabit ethernet cards support up to 1000Mbps (1 Gbps).

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