Which device typically includes a NIC on-board or via an expansion slot, excluding wireless adapters?

Which device typically includes a NIC on-board or via an expansion slot, excluding wireless adapters?

• A. Desktop computer
• B. Printer
• C. Router
• D. Smartphone

Answer: (A)

A wired network interface card is provided for devices in a way that can be built-in or added as an extra card. Desktop computers are designed to be upgradeable and commonly have network capability built in on the motherboard (on-board Ethernet controller) with the option to add a dedicated NIC card in an expansion slot (like PCIe) if more ports or faster speeds are needed. That combination of on-board presence plus expansion capability fits the scenario precisely. Printers can have Ethernet, but it’s usually integrated as part of the printer’s own hardware rather than added via a separate expansion slot. Routers are fixed appliances with their networking interfaces built in and not typically expanded with NIC cards. Smartphones rely on wireless radios and don’t offer expansion slots for wired NICs. So the desktop computer is the best match for a device that typically includes a NIC on-board or via an expansion slot, excluding wireless adapters.

A wired network interface card is provided for devices in a way that can be built-in or added as an extra card. Desktop computers are designed to be upgradeable and commonly have network capability built in on the motherboard (on-board Ethernet controller) with the option to add a dedicated NIC card in an expansion slot (like PCIe) if more ports or faster speeds are needed. That combination of on-board presence plus expansion capability fits the scenario precisely. Printers can have Ethernet, but it’s usually integrated as part of the printer’s own hardware rather than added via a separate expansion slot. Routers are fixed appliances with their networking interfaces built in and not typically expanded with NIC cards. Smartphones rely on wireless radios and don’t offer expansion slots for wired NICs. So the desktop computer is the best match for a device that typically includes a NIC on-board or via an expansion slot, excluding wireless adapters.