Network design is simplified when migrating from one to another because all flavors of Ethernet employ the same Media Access Control layer interface, packet sizes and error-control techniques. Hot ticket Sales of both Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet network interface cards are soaring. Fiber Distributed Data Interface and 10-Mbps Ethernet NICs are declining accordingly. My argument today is essentially the same, but the ante can be raised tenfold. Check with the manufacturers listed in the chart to see if they have cards using these technologies.
Many manufacturers also provide PC Card NICs for notebook computers.
NICs, also known as adapters, manage the essential connections between network servers or workstations and the network itself. All NICs come with on-board processors, various amounts of RAM and ports for connecting to the network and host server. Most also come with some type of proprietary or generic management software based on the Simple Network Management Protocol or Desktop Management Interface protocols. The management software allows users to access the NIC and other network components via an SNMP agent, Internet browser or Microsoft Windows console. Most NICs also come with drivers for common operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows NT and 2000, Novell NetWare and various flavors of Unix.