Which device would you use a NIC to connect?

A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network. It serves as the interface between the computer's internal network functions and the physical network medium, whether that be wired or wireless. The NIC converts data from the computer into a format that can be transmitted over the network and vice versa.

In this context, a computer is the device that directly utilizes a NIC to establish a connection with a network, allowing it to communicate with other computers, access the internet, and perform various network functions. The NIC plays a crucial role in enabling the computer to send and receive data packets over the network.

Other devices listed, like routers, switches, and modems, do not typically require a NIC to perform their primary functions, as they are designed to manage network traffic and facilitate connections between multiple devices. Each of these devices has specific roles in a networked environment but relies on different mechanisms and components to perform their tasks rather than a NIC. For instance, routers route traffic between different networks, switches connect devices within the same network, and modems connect a network to an Internet Service Provider.