Network Interface Card (NIC)
Every computer (and most other devices) is connected to a network through an NIC. In most desktop computers, this is an Ethernet card (normally 10 or 100 Mbps) that is plugged into a slot on the computer's motherboard.
Wireless network interface card(WNIC)
A wireless network interface controller (WNIC) is a network card which connects to a radio-based computer network, unlike a regular network interface controller (NIC) which connects to a wire-based network such as token ring or Ethernet. A WNIC, just like a NIC, works on the Layer 1 and Layer 2 of the OSI Model.
A WNIC is an essential component for wireless desktop computer. This card uses an antenna to communicate through microwaves. A WNIC in a desktop computer is mostly located in the PCI slot. Other options are USB WNIC, PC card WNIC and integrated WNIC
