Network interface
In computing, a network interface is a system's (software and/or hardware) interface between two pieces of equipment or protocol layers in a computer network.
A network interface will usually have some form of network address. This may consist of a node ID and a port number or may be a unique node ID in its own right.
Network interfaces provide standardized functions such as passing messages, connecting and disconnecting, etc.
Examples
- Computer port (hardware), an interface to other computers or peripherals
- Network interface controller, the device a computer uses to connect to a computer network
- Network interface device, a demarcation point for a telephone network
- Network socket, a software interface to the network
- Port (computer networking), a protocol interface to the network