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| Network Interface Card for Internet & Network Use |
What Drivers does a NIC need, and how they're used?
A network interface card uses the same principle as the sound cards and graphics cards with the need for drivers to be installed directly onto the operating system or come pre-installed into the CMOS of the motherboard however this is only for up to date extreme motherboards. The NIC needs drivers so that the operating system can configure the ability to handle network information and access the Internet, these instructions use the same method as the sound & graphics cards with the interrupt handling process to get the network traffic processed and put onto screen. The drivers can come pre-installed on the operating system, downloaded if a direct internet connection is made between the modem and the computer or they normally come with the hardware on a CD or DVD for direct installation. If this is the case then once the card has been fitted onto the motherboard the drivers should install straight away or if the case is that you need the CD this can easily be selected for the drivers.
However most systems come with pre-installed drivers so that if there is a problem with the system it can be booted into safe mode with networking which means that the drivers for the NIC will already be there for quick connectivity to the internet when its needed. Also, NIC's are normally directly implemented onto motherboards meaning that a external card may not be needed unless the card on the motherboard malfunctions or stops working correctly, however 90% of the time with new motherboards the card will already be installed with the drivers needed.
Types of Network Interface cards:
- TP-Link Gigabit PCI Network Card
- Intel PRO/1000 GT PCI Desktop Adapter
- D-Link Gigabit PCI Network Card
- Intel PRO/1000 GT PCI Desktop
