If you’re looking to set up a home Wi-Fi system yourself or have your ISP install one, there are a few basics you’ll need to know. In particular, learn about the components that make up most wireless networks and how they work together. It’s easier than it sounds, and networking devices are becoming easier to use and more secure with each passing year.

The main hardware components of a wireless computer network are adapters, routers and access points, antennas, and repeaters.

Wireless network adapters (also known as wireless NICs or wireless network cards) are required for every device on a wireless network. All laptops over the decade, tablets, and smartphones include wireless capabilities as a built-in feature of these systems.

Older laptops and desktops will require the purchase of separate add-on adapters. These come in PCMCIA credit card or USB form factors. Unless you have old hardware or need a Wi-Fi adapter for your desktop, you can set up a wireless network without worrying about network adapters.