Which of the following is NOT a purpose of the NIC?

The purpose of a Network Interface Card (NIC) primarily involves tasks related to establishing and managing a network connection. This includes receiving network signals, transmitting data packets, and facilitating connection to the network.

Providing firewall protection is not a primary function of a NIC. While some advanced NICs may have integrated features that support security measures, a firewall's main role is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Firewalls typically operate at a higher level in the network stack and are often implemented through software or dedicated hardware devices designed specifically for security purposes, rather than through the NIC itself. This distinction clarifies why providing firewall protection is not considered a core function of a NIC.