1. Abbreviation for network interface card. A network interface device (NID) in the form of a circuit card that is installed in an expansion slot of a computer to provide network access. Note: Examples of NICs are cards that interface a computer with an Ethernet LAN and cards that interface a computer with an FDDI ring network. 2. Abbreviation for network information center. An entity that provides information management, technical support, and administrative services to users of a given network. Note: NICs can form a hierarchy. A specific NIC, designated at the "Internetwork information center" or "InterNIC," has been the authority that assigns the network numbers to the subnetworks that it connects to the Internet.