What is meant by a "network controller"?

[Jskid]

I was reading the article about the Bigfoot M1 NIC and it says that it comes with its own "network controller". What does it mean that a network interface card comes with its own controller?

What is a controller? Is that another name for a driver?

 

[JMMD]

Network controller is just another name for a network card or network adapter. These cards have their own processors to handle the network interface rather than relying on the motherboard chipset or CPU to do it.

 

[Jskid]

So the sentence "It also includes its own network controller that works with GbE (1000 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) and 10BaseT (10 Mbps) media, all through the same RJ-45 connector" is equivalent to saying "The NIC works with 10/100/100BaseT Ethernet networks.

 

[LookinAround]

I think the quick answer to your question is "Yes. The M1 Killer NIC described in that article does work with 10/100/100BaseT Ethernet networks".

The longer answer.. i think the wording in that article was confusing.. "NIC" and "network controller card" are generally synonymous. In this case, i think the article was just trying to highlight the specific network controller capability that comes with the card

 

[tipstir]

Network Controller (ex. wireless router) PCI Network Gig Controller this mean the router gig controller chip is based on PCI interference. NIC is different (network interface card) so when they say NC is the chipset for the controller for that controls ports for WAN and LAN.

 

[LookinAround]

Network Controller (ex. wireless router) PCI Network Gig Controller this mean the router gig controller chip is based on PCI interference. NIC is different (network interface card) so when they say NC is the chipset for the controller for that controls ports for WAN and LAN.

Do we really need to confuse a user's simple question by talking about " PCI Network Gig Controllers" and "router gig controller" chips?? I think it can all be simplry re-phrased to say:

"The network controller is the chipset on the network interface card" ​

@jskid
If you still have any question, just look here

 

[Jskid]

Thanks everyone for the help. I received a message from a mod saying that I continue to reword questions once my original one has been answered. He sighted this thread in particular. Is there a policy against asking follow up questions?

 

[DelJo63]

I for one hope not and rewording is frequently necessary as there are so many terms and concepts. Even the pros misspeak from time to time.

 

[tipstir]

Problem today this type of question has many specs related to it. But in the Network Department Gig and non gig talk is norm. I guess giving you a simple answer would depend on what you needed the answer for, but hope you have the best of luck with what you have learn so far from all us here.