A network interface card, network adapter, network interface controller (NIC), or LAN adapter is a computer hardware component designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network. It is both an OSI layer 1 (physical layer) and layer 2 (data link layer) device, as it provides physical access to a networking medium and provides a low-level addressing system through the use of MAC addresses. It allows users to connect to each other either by using cables or wirelessly.
Installing a network card is the same as installing any type of peripheral. Make sure the card you are purchasing or installing matches the type of slot available in your PC (ISA or PCI). The card is physically inserted into the slot until you feel it snap into place.
Once the card is installed and the machine rebooted, the card should be automatically detected if you are working in a plug and play operating system. If not, or if the card is too new to be detected by the operating system, you will need to install the drivers manually. If the card is older you may also be required to set jumpers or DIP switches on the card to assign resources (I/O address and IRQ settings). Drivers can be supplied on disk, downloaded from the PC manufacturer, or the preferred way of downloading directly from the network card manufacturer¡¯s web site.
Once everything is installed including drivers, we can then configure the network card (NIC) for internet or network access. The network card can configured with a static IP address, subnet mask and default gateway, or it can obtain this information automatically if a DHCP server is available (or if Internet Connection Sharing is enabled).
The process for configuring the network card will vary slightly from operating system to operating system, but generally speaking, if you go into the control panel, then choose the network applet, you will see your network connection listed. Right click the icon, and then choose properties. From there highlight TCP/IP for your network adapter and hit properties. You will then be able to choose to have your TCP/IP address assigned statically or dynamically. If you choose dynamic, no further configuration is needed. If you statically assign the IP address, you need to make sure you correctly enter in the IP address and default subnet mask (and default gateway if plan to communicate outside of your local segment).
If your computer can't connect to the network after installation and configuration, you might have a resource conflict. You can check in Device Manager.
