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For a network to function, the devices must be interconnected. Network connections can be wired or wireless. In wired
connections, the medium is either copper, which carries electrical signals, or optical fiber, which carries light signals. In
wireless connections, the medium is the Earth's atmosphere, or space, and the signals are microwaves. Copper medium
includes cables, such as twisted pair telephone wire, coaxial cable, or most commonly, what is known as Category 5
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable. Optical fibers, thin strands of glass or plastic that carry light signals, are another form
of networking media. Wireless media may include the home wireless connection between a wireless router and a computer
with a wireless network card, the terrestrial wireless connection between two ground stations, or the communication
between devices on earth and satellites. In a typical journey across the Internet, a message may travel across a variety of
media.
