Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Network Information Center
     
        (NIC) A body that provides information, assistance and
        services to {network} users.  These will typically include
        telephone and {electronic mail} "help desk" type services for
        users and network information services such as {hostname}s and
        addresses which are accessed automatically by computers using
        some {client-server} protocol (usually Sun's {NIS}).
     
        See also {Network Operations Center}.
     
        (1994-12-13)