The wire calculus is a process algebra for modelling truly concurrent systems with explicit network topologies. It benefits from using categorical operators for coordination of processes: the tensor product and sequential composition of monoidal categories. The dynamics are handled by operators inspired by Milner's CCS and Hoare's CSP: unary prefix operation, binary choice and a standard recursion construct. The operational semantics is a labelled transition systems derived using SOS rules. After presenting the formal definition of the calculus I will discuss some basic results and give several examples.