Network Hardware (Switches, Routers, NICs, WAPs)

For a network to function, various pieces of hardware are needed to connect devices, manage data traffic and provide communication. This lesson covers the key network hardware components you need to know for GCSE Computer Science.

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Network Interface Card (NIC)

A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component that allows a device to connect to a network. Every device on a network must have a NIC.

Key facts about NICs

• A NIC can be wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi).
• Most modern devices (laptops, desktops, phones) have NICs built in.
• Each NIC has a unique MAC address (Media Access Control address) — a 48-bit hardware address burned into the card during manufacture.
• The MAC address is used to identify devices on the local network.

Feature	Detail
Purpose	Allows a device to connect to a network
Types	Wired (Ethernet port) or wireless (Wi-Fi adapter)
MAC address	Unique hardware identifier assigned to each NIC
Location	Built into the motherboard or plugged in as an expansion card / USB adapter