Which hardware component must be present for a computer to connect to a network?

Which hardware component must be present for a computer to connect to a network?

• A. CPU
• B. RAM
• C. Power Supply
• D. NIC (Network Interface Card)

Answer: (D)

To connect to a network, a computer needs a hardware interface that can speak to the network medium. That role is filled by a Network Interface Card (NIC), which may be built into the motherboard or added as a separate card or wireless adapter. The NIC handles the actual connection to the network—sending and receiving data, framing, and using a hardware address (MAC) so devices on the network can identify each other. Without a NIC, there’s no hardware pathway to place signals on the network, even if the CPU, RAM, and power supply are all present. The other components are essential for computing and powering the system, but they don’t provide network access by themselves.

To connect to a network, a computer needs a hardware interface that can speak to the network medium. That role is filled by a Network Interface Card (NIC), which may be built into the motherboard or added as a separate card or wireless adapter. The NIC handles the actual connection to the network—sending and receiving data, framing, and using a hardware address (MAC) so devices on the network can identify each other. Without a NIC, there’s no hardware pathway to place signals on the network, even if the CPU, RAM, and power supply are all present. The other components are essential for computing and powering the system, but they don’t provide network access by themselves.