Network Interface Card (Nic) 

A network interface card (NIC) is a piece of computer hardware that provides a physical connection between a computer and a network. It is typically used in Ethernet networks, but can also be used in wireless and other types of networks. The NIC allows the computer to communicate with other devices on the network, such as servers, printers, and other computers.

It typically has its own dedicated memory and processor to handle the networking tasks. Most NICs will have two or more ports, which allows them to be connected to multiple devices simultaneously. They may also have additional features, such as Quality of Service (QoS) or security settings.