Which of the following best describes the function of a NIC?

The function of a Network Interface Card (NIC) is primarily to facilitate network communication. It serves as an interface between a computer and a network, allowing data to be transmitted, received, and interpreted. The NIC is responsible for converting the data from the computer into a format suitable for transmission over a network medium, whether wired or wireless. This capability is essential for enabling devices to communicate with each other and access resources on a network, such as the internet or shared drives.

By translating digital data into signals that can traverse the network, the NIC plays a crucial role in ensuring that devices can share information seamlessly. This encompasses tasks such as packet framing, error checking, and managing network protocols, all of which enable effective communication across different systems on the network.

In contrast, the other options represent functions that are not typical of a NIC: connecting a computer to a printer relates to peripheral communication rather than networking; managing power supply is a function associated with power supply units or motherboards; and processing graphical data pertains to graphics cards, which are dedicated to rendering visual output rather than facilitating network communication.