Stands for 'Network Interface Card' and is pronounced 'nick.' A NIC is a component that provides networking capabilities for a computer. It may enable a wired connection (such as Ethernet) or a wireless connection (such as Wi-Fi) to a local area network.

StarTech PEX10000SFPI 10G Network Card - MM/SM - 1 x Single 10G SPF+ slot - Intel 82599 Chip - Gigabit Ethernet Card - Intel NIC Card Connectors: 1 x SFP+ Temperature: Operating Temperature 5 to 50 degree C (41 to 122 degree F) Storage Temperature -20 to 60 degree C (-4 to 140 degree F). Its appearing more obvious to me now there are other valuable potential gains that could be had if I simply acquire a computer with PCI/PCI-E expansion slots. With no expansion capability it obviously limits your options. PCI/PCI-E Slot for Wireless AP card. PCI-E Slot for a Dual NIC Server grade card.

Nic Expansion Slot Machine

NICs were commonly included in desktop computers in the 1990s and early 2000s. In the 1980s and early 1990s, many computers did not include networking capabilities, so a NIC could be added as an expansion card. Most NICs were installed in a PCI slot on the motherboard. Early NICs included a BNC connector for coax network connections, though Ethernet ports soon became the standard. Therefore most NICs include one or more Ethernet ports.

As wireless networking became more popular, wireless NICs also grew in popularity. Instead of an Ethernet port, wireless NICs are designed for Wi-Fi connections and often have an antenna to provide better wireless reception for the computer. Older wireless cards have PCI connections while most modern wireless NICs connect to a PCI Express slot.

Since many different networking standards exist, it is best to match the specifications of a NIC to the standard of network. For example, if you are connecting to a Gigabit Ethernet network, a Gigabit Ethernet NIC is the best choice. A 100Base-T card will work, but you will only get 1/10 of the possible data transfer rate. A 10 Gigabit Ethernet Card may also work, but you will only experience gigabit speeds on the network. Wireless cards also use the lowest common denominator between the network and the NIC. However, if a wireless card does not support a newer wireless standard (such as 802.11ac), it may not be able to connect to the network.

NIC vs Network Adapter

Technically, a NIC is a physical card that connects to an expansion slot in a computer. Many computers and wireless devices now include an integrated networking component called a network adapter. This may be an Ethernet controller and port attached to the edge of a motherboard or a small wireless networking chip located on the motherboard. A network adapter may also be a small peripheral that connects to a USB port. While the terms 'NIC' and 'network adapter' are often used synonymously, a NIC is a type of network adapter while a network adapter is not necessarily a NIC.

1. FWIW the 7010 SFF only has 2 PCIe slots. You didn't happen to mention the hypervisor you plan on using, but if its ESXi you need to stick to the hardware compatibility list for the hypervisor. The intel nic mentioned by JohnHall above will work nicely. I think you will run into a memory issue, in that the 7010s only have 4 memory slots.
2. Let’s get back to our main point of discussion ‘the PCI’; They were the most accepted expansion slots used on a motherboard.The tool, PCI, was first designed and created by Intel for sorting out a major problem that every computer used had to face in the 90s.
3. Expansion Slots These days, most motherboards feature just two slot types: the long PCIe x16 and the short PCIe x1 slot. You may occasionally see an x4 slot (which sits between those two in length.

Updated: March 14, 2018

Short for network interface card, the NIC is also referred to as an Ethernet card and network adapter. A NIC is a computer expansion card for connecting to a network (e.g., home network or Internet) using an Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector.

Due to the popularity and low cost of the Ethernet standard, nearly all new computers have a network interface build directly into the motherboard. The top image shows the SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI network card, one of the more common examples.

The bottom picture shows a PC Card. More specifically, the SMC EZ Card 10/100 wireless network card, which is found with older laptop computers that do not have onboard wireless capabilities.

Nic Expansion Slot Game

A network card is sometimes improperly referred to as a broadband card or Internet card. The network card is what allows your computer to connect to the Internet (a network) using a cable (Cat 5). That cable is connected to a router that allows your computer to use a broadband connection.

How does a computer with a network card connect to a network?

Network cards can communicate with each other over the same network using a network switch, or if two computers are directly connected. When computers need to connect to a different network (e.g., the Internet), they must be use a router to route the network packets to the correct network.

Where is a network card located in a computer?

In a desktop computer, the network card is most often located near the USB ports on the back if it's an onboard version. If it's a separate network card expansion card (not onboard), it usually is on the back of the computer, near the bottom, taking up a PCI slot.

In a laptop, the network card is integrated into the motherboard. The network port is usually on the side on the laptop, or it may be on the back. If you cannot find a network port on your laptop, it may only have a wireless network connection. You can purchase a network card for laptops, which is installed into a PC card slot on the side of the laptop, if available.

Related pages

Broadband, Computer acronyms, Connection, Hardware terms, LAN, Network terms, Processing device