Which hardware component enables a computer to connect to a network?

• A. Network interface card
• B. Router
• C. Switch
• D. Modem

Answer: (A)

The ability for a computer to join a network comes from its network interface hardware. The network interface card provides the actual link between the computer and the network medium, letting the device send and receive data as frames. It handles the data link layer work and gives the computer a unique MAC address, with wired NICs using Ethernet and wireless NICs using Wi‑Fi to connect to access points.

Other devices like a router, switch, or modem play crucial networking roles, but they don’t provide the direct interface inside the computer to connect to a network. A router directs traffic between networks, a switch connects multiple devices within a network, and a modem links your local network to the internet.