What does NIC stand for in networking?

NIC stands for Network Interface Card. It is a physical hardware component that allows a computer or other device to connect to a network. The NIC provides the interface between the device and the network medium, whether its wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi).

Every device that communicates over a network needs a NIC to send and receive data. It is either built into the motherboard or added as an external card. NICs also come with a unique MAC address, which helps in identifying the device on the network.

In short, without a NIC, a computer cannot connect to the internet or any local network. It is a core part of network communication.