How Do Parts of A Network Work Together

[YOLO12345]

I am trying to figure out how the different parts of a home network connect. My understanding is the different parts are modem, router, switch, firewall, server, clients, and access point(s).
I think it works one of these two ways.

DSL Connection ----> Modem ----> Router ---> Switch -----------------------------> NAS Server
.........................................................................................I...................I
.........................................................................................I...................I
.........................................................................................v..................v
...................................................................................Clients......Access Points

Is this right? Also what is the point of a router if it doesn't have wireless? And where does the firewall fit in (is it built into the modem or router?)?

Thanks A Ton,
Im lost

 

[jsmithepa]

The firewall is usually built into the router. Some will argue whether a home router is a REAL firewall, but it does provide NAT (Network Address Translation) which provides a simple isolation mechanism from the Big Internet out there to your local LAN.

Due to loose wording, many have taken ROUTER=WIFI router, and this seems to be the "street construct" but this is not accurate to a network engineer. The generic term router is simply a box with 2 or more ports that direct traffic. For the purpose of understanding home networks, for accuracy sake one ought be using "Ethernet Router" or "WIFI Router" to distinguish both boxes.

Also good terms to know:

GATEWAY=Modem+router(NAT)+4 ports switch(often)+WIFI Access Point IN ONE BOX.
(Plain) MODEM=The very first box hooked up to your ISP, provides NO NAT service, has a single RJ45 out.
ACCESS POINT=A WIFI router WITHOUT the NAT function.

You are not lost, some people can't even diagram as you did. Good job.