The two major components in a small computer network are a modem and wireless router. The modem is wired to the Internet via the cable company's coaxial cable, the telephone company's DSL phone ...

The router in daily use performs very well, and one of the lines used during the review does stress some routers when it is dark and the noise floor rises, which can result in some twitchy modems ...

Typically available as an external USB module, for desktop computers, the modem may also be available on a PCI or PCI Express (PCIe) card that plugs into an empty slot on the motherboard.