network adapters

Can anyone tell me where I would find information on how Windows, Windows 2000 in particular, handles network adapters. I am trying to find out how NIC teaming, combining 2-8 NIC cards into a virtual NIC card is done. So far I have only found how you set up third party software. I am trying to find out of the card is accessed by the operating system and how packets are sent and received through the NICs. If anyone has any idea please let me know.
[453 byte] By [TBONE917] at [2007-11-19 1:49:01]