Network interface controller.

Network interface controller.

A MAC Address is a unique bit network hardware identifier that is burned into a ROM chip on the NIC to identify that device on the network. The first bits is called the Organizationally Unique Identifier OUI and is largely manufacturer dependent. Each OUI allows for ,, Unique NIC Addresses.Smaller manufacturers that do not have a need for over unique NIC addresses may opt to purchase an Individual Address Block IAB instead. An IAB consists of the bit OUI, plus a bit extension taken from the potential NIC portion of the MAC addressA wireless network interface controller WNIC is a network card which connects to a radiobased computer network, unlike a regular network interface controller NIC which connects to a wirebased network such as token ring or ethernet. A WNIC, just like a NIC, works on the Layer and Layer of the OSI Model.

A WNIC is an essential component for wireless desktop computer. This card uses an antenna to communicate through microwaves. A WNIC in a desktop computer usually is connected using the PCI bus. Other connectivity options are USB and PC card. In an infrastructure mode network the WNIC needs an access point all data is transferred using the access point as the central hub. All wireless nodes in an infrastructure mode network connect to an access point. All nodes connecting to the access point must have the same service set identifier SSID as the access point, and if the access point is enabled with WEP they must have the same WEP key or other authentication parameters.In an adhoc mode network the WNIC does not require an access point, but rather can directly interface with all other wireless nodes directly. All the nodes in an adhoc network must have the same channel and SSID.

Network interface controller.

Network interface controller.

There are four techniques used to transfer data, the NIC may use one or more of these techniques.Polling is where the microprocessor examines the status of the peripheral under program control.Programmed IO is where the microprocessor alerts the designated peripheral by applying its address to the systems address bus.Interruptdriven IO is where the peripheral alerts the microprocessor that its ready to transfer data.DMA is where the intelligent peripheral assumes control of the system bus to access memory directly. This removes load from the CPU but requires a separate processor on the card.A network card typically has a twisted pair, BNC, or AUI socket where the network cable is connected, and a few LEDs to inform the user of whether the network is active, and whether or not there is data being transmitted on it. Network Cards are typically available in Mbits varieties. This means they can support a transfer rate of , or Megabits per second.

A Network Interface Controller NIC is a hardware interface that handles and allows a network capable device access to a computer network such as the internet. The NIC has a ROM chip that has a unique Media Access Control MAC Address burned into it. The MAC address identifies the vendor and the serial number of the NIC which is unique to the card. Every NIC has a unique MAC address which identifies it on the LAN. The NIC exists on both the Physical Layer Layer and the Data Link Layer Layer of the OSI model.Sometimes the word controller and card is used interchangeably when talking about networking because the most common NIC is the Network Interface Card. Although card is more commonly used, it is in less encompassing. The controller may take the form of a network card that is installed inside a computer, or it may refer to an embedded component as part of a computer motherboard, a router, expansion card, printer interface, or a USB device.

Network Card.

Network Card.

A Network card, Network Adapter, LAN Adapter or NIC network interface card is a piece of computer hardware designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network. It is both an OSI layer physical layer and layer data link layer device, as it provides physical access to a networking medium and provides a lowlevel addressing system through the use of MAC addresses. It allows users to connect to each other either by using cables or wirelessly.Although other network technologies exist, Ethernet has achieved nearubiquity since the mids. Every Ethernet network card has a unique bit serial number called a MAC address, which is stored in ROM carried on the card. Every computer on an Ethernet network must have a card with a unique MAC address. No two cards ever manufactured share the same address. This is accomplished by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE, which is responsible for assigning unique MAC addresses to the vendors of network interface controllers.

Whereas network cards used to be expansion cards that plug into a computer bus, the low cost and ubiquity of the Ethernet standard means that most newer computers have a network interface built into the motherboard. These either have Ethernet capabilities integrated into the motherboard chipset, or implemented via a low cost dedicated Ethernet chip, connected through the PCI or the newer PCI express bus. A separate network card is not required unless multiple interfaces are needed or some other type of network is used. Newer motherboards may even have dual network Ethernet interfaces builtin.The card implements the electronic circuitry required to communicate using a specific physical layer and data link layer standard such as Ethernet or token ring. This provides a base for a full network protocol stack, allowing communication among small groups of computers on the same LAN and largescale network communications through routable protocols, such as IP.

Printer.

Printer.

In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a hard copy (permanent human-readable text and/or graphics) of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are primarily used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most newer printers, a USB cable to a computer which serves as a document source. Some printers, commonly known as network printers, have built-in network interfaces (typically wireless or Ethernet), and can serve as a hardcopy device for any user on the network. Individual printers are often designed to support both local and network connected users at the same time.
In addition, a few modern printers can directly interface to electronic media such as memory sticks or memory cards, or to image capture devices such as digital cameras, scanners; some printers are combined with a scanners and/or fax machines in a single unit, and can function as photocopiers. Printers that include non-printing features are sometimes called Multifunction Printers (MFP), Multi-Function Devices (MFD), or All-In-One (AIO) printers. Most MFPs include printing, scanning, and copying among their features. A Virtual printer is a piece of computer software whose user interface and API resemble that of a printer driver, but which is not connected with a physical computer printer.

Speakers.

Speakers.

Computer speakers, or multimedia speakers, are external speakers, commonly equipped with a low-power internal amplifier. The standard audio connection is a 3.5mm (1/8 inch) stereo jack plug often colour-coded lime green (following the PC 99 standard) for computer sound cards. A plug and socket for a two-wire (signal and ground) coaxial cable that is widely used to connect analog audio and video components. Also called a "phono connector," rows of RCA sockets are found on the backs of stereo amplifiers and numerous A/V products. The prong is 1/8" thick by 5/16" long. A few use an RCA connector for input. There are also USB speakers which are powered from the 5 volts at 200 milliamps provided by the USB port, allowing about half a watt of output power.
Computer speakers range widely in quality and in price. The computer speakers typically packaged with computer systems are small plastic boxes with mediocre sound quality. Some of the slightly better computer speakers have equalization features such as bass and treble controls, improving their sound quality somewhat.
The internal amplifiers require an external power source, known as a 'wall-wart'. More sophisticated computer speakers may have a 'subwoofer' unit, to enhance bass output, and these units usually include the power amplifiers both for the bass speaker, and the small 'satellite' speakers.
Some computer displays have rather basic speakers built-in. Laptops come with integrated speakers. Unfortunately the tight restriction on space inevitable in laptops means these speakers unavoidably produce low-quality sound.

Mouse.

Mouse.

In computing, a mouse (plural mouses, mice, or mouse devices) is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons. It sometimes features other elements, such as "wheels", which allow the user to perform various system-dependent operations, or extra buttons or features can add more control or dimensional input. The mouse's motion typically translates into the motion of a pointer on a display, which allows for fine control of a Graphical User Interface.
The name mouse, originated at the Stanford Research Institute, derives from the resemblance of early models (which had a cord attached to the rear part of the device, suggesting the idea of a tail) to the common mouse.

Keyboard.

Keyboard.

In computing, a keyboard is an input device, partially modeled after the typewriter keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, which act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the keys and each press of a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However, to produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence. While most keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or signs (characters), other keys or simultaneous key presses can produce actions or computer commands.
In normal usage, the keyboard is used to type text and numbers into a word processor, text editor or other program. In a modern computer, the interpretation of keypresses is generally left to the software. A computer keyboard distinguishes each physical key from every other and reports all keypresses to the controlling software. Keyboards are also used for computer gaming, either with regular keyboards or by using keyboards with special gaming features, which can expedite frequently used keystroke combinations. A keyboard is also used to give commands to the operating system of a computer, such as Windows' Control-Alt-Delete combination, which brings up a task window or shuts down the machine.

Power Supply.

Power Supply.

A power supply unit (PSU) is the component that supplies power to the other components in a computer. More specifically, a power supply unit is typically designed to convert general-purpose alternating current (AC) electric power from the mains (100-127V in North America, parts of South America, Japan, and Taiwan; 220-240V in most of the rest of the world) to usable low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer. Some power supplies have a switch to change between 230 V and 115 V. Other models have automatic sensors that switch input voltage automatically, or are able to accept any voltage between those limits.
The most common computer power supplies are built to conform with the ATX form factor. This enables different power supplies to be interchangeable with different components inside the computer. ATX power supplies also are designed to turn on and off using a signal from the motherboard, and provide support for modern functions such as the standby mode available in many computers. The most recent specification of the ATX standard PSU as of mid-2008 is version 2.31.

Monitor.

Monitor.

A monitor or display is a piece of electrical equipment which displays images generated by devices such as computers, without producing a permanent record. The monitor comprises the actual display device, circuitry, and an enclosure. The display device in modern monitors is typically a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), while older monitors use a cathode ray tube (CRT).

DVD-ROM & DVD.

DVD-ROM & DVD.
A Digital Versatile Disk — Read Only Memory, or DVD-ROM, is a media storage disk that closely resembles a CD or compact disk. The major difference is that the DVD-ROM is formatted to hold far more data. There are various kinds of DVDs, but the DVD-ROM refers to a read-only disk, or a disk that cannot be written over. Variations of the term DVD often describe the way data is stored on the discs: DVD-ROM (Read Only Memory) has data that can only be read and not written; DVD-R and DVD+R can record data only once, and then function as a DVD-ROM; DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM can both record and erase data multiple times. The wavelength used by standard DVD lasers is 650 nm; thus, the light has a red color.
DVD Video and DVD Audio discs refer to properly formatted and structured video and audio content, respectively. Other types of DVDs, including those with video content, may be referred to as DVD Data discs.
As next-generation High Definition, more advanced optical formats (such as Blu-ray Disc) also use a disc identical in some aspects, the original DVD is occasionally given the retronym SD DVD (for standard definition). However, the trademarked HD DVD discs have been discontinued since Blu-ray absorbed their market share.