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Network Adapters
A
network computer is connected to the network cabling with a
network interface card, (also called a "NIC", "nick", or
network adapter. Some NICs are installed inside of a
computer: the PC is opened up and a network card is plugged
directly into one of the computer's internal expansion
slots. 286, 386, and many 486 computers have 16-bit slots,
so a 16-bit NIC is needed. Faster computers, like high-speed
486s and Pentiums, often have 32-bit, or PCI slots.
These PCs require 32-bit NICs to achieve the fastest
networking speeds possible for speed-critical applications
like desktop video, multimedia, publishing, and databases.
And if a computer is going to be used with a Fast Ethernet
network, it will need a network adapter that supports
100Mbps data speeds as well.
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