Final answer:
The network adapter or network interface card (NIC) enables a device to connect to a network. Wireless connections often use a wireless WiFi router, which operates using microwaves in the 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz frequency range.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hardware component that enables a device to connect to the network medium, either wired or wireless, is known as a network interface card (NIC) or network adapter. In the case of wireless connections, a wireless WiFi router serves this function. A WiFi router exchanges data over the Internet through a cable or another connection and uses microwaves in the frequency range of 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz to wirelessly communicate with devices such as cell phones and computers. The term WiFi refers to the standards for modulating and analyzing microwaves to ensure compatibility across different devices from various manufacturers. Computer data is transmitted as binary zeros and ones, which correspond to binary bits, enabling the transfer of information.