Aside from computers, wired Ethernet installations often require a few networking devices like a router and a broadband or DSL modem. Depending on the size of the home or office network, periphery devices such as access points, bridges, and switches, can also be used. Ethernet cables widely used today in wired Ethernet installations are often referred to as CAT5 cables. These cables are designed to be compatible with RJ45 Local Area Network (LAN) ports and with Wide Area Network (WAN) ports. LAN ports are responsible for sharing access to shared files or resources by connecting devices to each other. To receive Internet connectivity from the Internet modem, an Ethernet cable must be wired to the LAN port of the modem while the other end of the cable has to be wired to the WAN port of the router.
