What exactly is the network card?

Question

Are they the things that plug into the USB 2.0 slots to increase your wireless network range? And i have a linksys wireless network set up, so will a different network card (for example), like netgear, work with my linksys access point?

Thanks

Answer 1

A network card enables you to access the internet, it's the thing that you plug the ethernet cable into.  To access wireless internet you need a wireless internet card, which work on all wireless internet spots, regardless of the brand of router.  There are USB network adapters for wireless, but you don't need one if you have a wireless network card.

Answer 2

A nic (network interface card) is a card in your computer that allows you to plug in an ethernet cable.

A wireless adapter is either an internal card or an external device that allows your computer to connect to a wireless network.

Any compatible wireless adapter will work with your wireless network.  You didn't specify your router or adapter, so can't tell you if yours work together.  If your network is 802.11n, you can use any 802.11n, g, or b adapter.  If your network is 802.11g, you can use any g or b adapter.