In the vast world of computers and technology the Internet acts as a lifeline. The World Wide Web connects everyone together, allows us to chat with each other, to buy things instantly through websites, and to find almost any information we seek. If the Internet is the spinal cord of the technological world, network cards are the vertebrae.

A network either allows one or multiple computers to connect to each other (LAN for Local Area Network), or it allows them to connect to the Internet (WAN or Wide Area Network). Some networks are configured to allow both. In domestic applications, networking usually consists of allowing the computers in a household to share the same printer, to send and receive files between computers in the house, and to connect the computers to the Internet.

In order for a computer to be able to talk to other computers, or to an Internet service provider, it needs what is called a Network Interface Card, or NIC. This card, usually found inside the computer, is the gateway into which you plug an ethernet cable. The ethernet cable resembles a telephone wire, though slightly larger in diameter and its end is about twice the size of a standard RJ11 jack. An ethernet cable is standard for connecting your computer to a high-speed Internet modem, or to a network within your home.

Network cards are actually quite simple to install. The instructions provided with a new card should give adequate detail, and many installation walkthroughs exist online. Any search engine will return numerous results with different brands of network cards and installation instructions if necessary.

While network cards are readily available, many computers come with one already installed. Most preinstalled network cards as of 2005 still require an ethernet cable. On the other hand, you can buy aftermarket network cards that are wireless. These cards can only communicate with a wireless router or network device however, not a wired one. These are less common but are gaining popularity with wireless home networks springing up all over the world. These wireless network cards allow users with laptops to roam the house while staying connected to the Internet, eliminating the need for a tethering ethernet cable.

Regardless of whether you are creating a wireless network or a wired network in your home, network cards are a necessity for each computer. Give serious thought to a wireless network if you own a laptop or two. Although there may be more security precautions required with a wireless network and the speed may be slightly slower, the flexibility gained is quite often worth it.