WireGL is implemented using the standard client/server network model. The client acts as a graphics source, generating graphics commands to be rendered on the cluster. The server machines act as graphics sinks, receiving graphics commands from the network and rendering them. Below is a diagram of the WireGL system.

The WireGL client (on the left) runs the host application. The client works by replacing the system opengl32.dll or libgl.so with its own library which exports the same OpenGL interface. The application therefore does not need to be modified in any way to work with the WireGL client driver. When the application loads, it will dynamically link with the WireGL client driver which will connect and begin transmitting graphics commands to the rendering servers.

The WireGL servers are responsible for rendering the graphics commands on the client's behalf. Each rendering server is connected to an output device, typically a projector, which are arranged to create a tiled display. The server is configured to only output its portion of the display.