Bringing the NIC to the Cable

Okay, the software is installed and the hardware is plugged in. All that's left is hooking the NIC up to the network. For modular technologies, such as twisted-pair Ethernet or token ring, this means inserting the LAN cable's modular connector into a receptacle on the NIC. For other technologies, it means hooking up a T-connector or a transceiver cable from the LAN to your NIC. Whichever option applies, make sure that the connection is tight and that the NIC is seated solidly in its slot. Then you're ready to fire it up!