Firmware is software that is semi-permanently placed in hardware. Often a distinction is drawn between software and firmware. Software resides on disks and is brought into memory when it is needed. Familiar kinds of software are operating systems, which provide overall control for computer hardware, and applications, which are optional programs used for a particular job. Software is a broad term for the programs running on hardware. Computers, adapter cards and Ethernet cables are examples.
Hardware is any physical electronic device.
This article will help explain the terms usually used in Networking such as Driver, Firmware, Hardware, Software and Utility.
