Question NIC / Wireless Adapter

[jj2499]

Do I need a network interface card to connect to my router wirelessly, and do I also need a wireless adapter or does the NIC catch the signal on it's own?

And also can I just get a wireless adapter without the use of an NIC?

 

[Barty1884]

A NIC is a "network interface controller"

Typically, it will be ethernet only - I'm not aware of any all-in-one solutions.

You need a Wireless network adapter (PCIe, USB etc) to connect wirelessly.


Technically, you do not need a NIC to use a wireless adapter... but I'm not aware of any remotely modern motherboard that will not have an onboard NIC.