page_title: Outline of computing
section_title: Wired and wireless computer network
hierarchical_section_title: Outline of computing / Computer network / Wired and wireless computer network
caption_attribution_description: English: A laptop computer, and home wireless router (background), which connects it to the Internet. The laptop has a WiFi wireless modem which transmits data to and receives data from the router, which passes the data on to the Internet through a cable connection provided by an Internet service provider (ISP). The Wifi modem has an automated radio transmitter which transmits packets of digital data by microwaves to a receiver in the router, and the router has a transmitter which transmits data packets back to the laptop. The router may also connect the laptop to other devices on the home network, such as a printer or another computer. The laptop's modem is an add-on card, visible as the turquoise device protruding from the left side.
context_page_description: The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to computing:
  Computing – activity of using and improving computer hardware and computer software.
context_section_description: Types
  Wide area network
  Metropolitan area network
  City Area Network
  Village Area Network
  Local area network
  Wireless Local Area Network
  Mesh networking
  Collaborative workspace
  Internet
  Network management
caption: This notebook computer is connected to a wireless access point using a PC card wireless card.
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