The simplest wireless network requires a minimum of two devices. Each device must have a radio transmitter and a radio receiver tuned to the same frequencies.
However most wireless deployments require:
- End devices with wireless NICs
- Infrastructure device, such as a wireless router or wireless AP
To communicate wirelessly, end devices require a wireless NIC that incorporates a radio transmitter/receiver and the required software driver to make it operational. Laptops, tablets, smart phones now all include integrated wireless NICs. However, if a device does not have an integrated wireless NIC, then a USB wireless adapter can be used.
The figure displays two USB wireless adapters.