# 3.4 Network Hardware

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## NIC

This stands for a <mark style="color:yellow;">Network Interface Card</mark> or Controller. It's an internal physical component which enables a device to connect to a network (also known as network adapters). They have a built in ethernet port. You can also get WNIC (W -> Wireless) which allows a device to use Wi-Fi.

The primary function is to <mark style="color:yellow;">send and receive data packets</mark> between the device and the network. The NIC converts data into signals that can be sent (wired network -> voltage / wireless network -> radio waves). They are normally on a motherboard but can be added as an expansion card.

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## MAC Address

I have discussed it [here](https://hammaadmughal.gitbook.io/main/igcse-computer-science/data-representation/1.1-number-systems#mac).

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## IP Address

An Internet Protocol Address is a <mark style="color:yellow;">unique numerical identifier</mark> which is assigned to devices (by a network provider - ISP) connected to the internet. These are used to <mark style="color:yellow;">identify and locate devices</mark> on the internet. You can get either IPv4 or IPv6 addresses.

A router can assign private IP addresses to devices connected within its network. These are often dynamic and can change.&#x20;

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## Router

This device <mark style="color:yellow;">connects one network to another</mark> and can be used to connect LAN[^1] to the internet (WAN[^2]). It also <mark style="color:yellow;">analyses data packets</mark> to send them to their destinations. The network access device used in your home network will have a router built into it.

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## Exam Questions

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[^1]: Local Area Network

[^2]: Wide Area Network