Network Interfaces

The network interface provides the connection that allows a client to communicate across a network with other systems and devices. The interface can be hardware, such as a network card, or it can be implemented using software. Without a network interface, you cannot do any networking between computers or across networks.

A network interface consists of a Network Interface Card (NIC) or other type of hardware. Some have physical ports that provide a connection to the networking using cables. Others have wireless capabilities. In either case, the network interface is a stand-alone device that enables network connectivity. Connection speed and configuration requirements of the network interface depends on the device.

A network interface by itself does not provide resiliency. If the network interface stops working, it prevents the user from connecting to the network. To ensure continuous network access, Hewlett Packard Enterprise recommends using Network Teams and Network Team Interfaces to increase performance and reliability, and to provide fault tolerance.