When you subscribe to your local internet service provider, you will receive a device that you can easily carry under your arm that is called a gateway. While a technician may arrive to install it, a reasonably tech-savvy individual can install and configure it using the directions they provide and the automated scripts programmed into the device. When the gateway is plugged in and establishing its connection, there is a series of flashing lights. When it is connected and operational, the lights all turn green. This single device provides several network services, including security service such as a firewall. All devices on your home network connect to the internet through a wired ethernet port on the gateway or a wifi network broadcast from the gateway.