One or more computers, a network or Internet connection, and a hub to connect the computers to the network connection and connect the various systems to one another often make up the most basic network architecture. The hub only connects the computers; it has no effect on how much data can enter or leave any particular system. A switch takes the place of the hub to establish network protocols that specify how the systems communicate with one another in order to control or restrict access between systems and manage information flow. A router is necessary to bridge the networks and essentially provide a common language for data transmission in accordance with the regulations of each network. This allows the network formed by these systems to communicate with others via the network connection. Regardless of whether the computers also communicate with one another, sharing a single Internet connection among several computers in a single home is regarded as a fundamental component of network infrastructure. The Internet is a more sophisticated network infrastructure, where individual systems connect to a worldwide network that stores data from many systems and permits access via web standards and protocols, which are most frequently expressed as web addresses, also called URLs.

Office intranets function similarly to the global Internet but on a private network infrastructure that is only available to those who are part of it. One or more servers, ethernet cabling, wireless access points, routers, switches, and the individual computers having access to the central data storage are typically included in this. Either wired connections or wireless connections are used to connect each computer to the network. The routers and switches then decide what level of access is permitted for them and operate as traffic directors to direct traffic to the servers' central data store. The routers make sure that the data gets to the right spot as it is sent or received by the individual computers.