What connects wired and wireless network clients to the internet?

The connection of both wired and wireless network clients to the internet is primarily facilitated by a modem/router. A modem is responsible for connecting to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and translating data between the internet and your home network. The router then directs that data to various devices within the network—both wired devices connected through Ethernet cables and wireless devices that connect via Wi-Fi.

While an access point provides wireless connectivity to clients, it generally doesn't connect directly to the ISP and therefore cannot be the sole device responsible for internet access. Similarly, a hub and a switch are used for connectivity within the local network but do not provide direct access to the internet. A hub is an older technology that simply connects multiple wired devices in a network, while a switch is more advanced and directs data traffic efficiently between the devices. However, neither of them connects directly to the internet. In summary, to have both wired and wireless clients access the internet, a modem/router is essential as it serves as the gateway and manages traffic between the local network and the internet.