The question of which is better between wired and wireless network has been up for years. Some people are up for wired networking while others opt for wireless networking. This article will try to be explicit about both networking types, looking into key areas of difference between the two and doing justice to the rivalry.
What is wired Network?
Wired network is the use of a cable to transfer data from one computer to another computer over a network or internet using Ethernet cables. Usually, the configuration in wired networks makes use of cables to establish a connection. Wired Network can be comprised of Copper or Fiber Network Cabling.
What is a wireless network?
Wireless network make use of radio and microwave signals to send data from one computer to the other. A network is established in a wireless network without the use of Ethernet cables. Wireless-enabled devices communicate with each other and with the internet via the radio signal.
Is wired network really better than wireless network? Let us go through the features and see which of the two is truly better.
VISIBILITY
When a Wired networks is installed, other network(s) cannot interfere with an established network because wired network does not allow interference. This also mean that wired network are only visible to and can only communicate with other network nodes that are connected by the same Ethernet cable. Wired network nodes can communicate with each other with ease. In wireless network, a network is visible to every other device and this increases the chance of interference by any wireless enabled device. On a single network, in a wireless network, a node cannot communicate with other node
SECURITY
If you do not have the Ethernet cable connected to your device from the router or shared from a device, you cannot be a part of a wired network. Usually, an extra layer of security is added to the wired network in the form of firewalls and other security applications to protect the wired network from foreign users. One can completely say that wired network is by far safe in comparison to the wireless network. On the other hand, the wireless network Is less secure as the network signal is pushed through waves in the air. Un-authorized users may join the network in as much as their devices are wireless enabled, except the encryption technologies are installed and a password for the network is put in place. Usually, wireless network out to be safer because of the encryption technology but nowadays, hackers can break encryption when they are fully interested in get it broken, no matter how long it takes them.
RELIABILITY AND STABILITY
Wired network can be extremely stable especially when there is no cut back on the standard of the switches, the hubs and the Ethernet cables used in the installation. Wireless networks are not so stable and reliable, although they are gaining more reliability with developments over the years. When wireless enabled devices are connected and a hotspot of the network is shared, if there is another close ranged network available, there is usually interference. In fact, walls and opaque objects reduce the strength of the wireless network or even block it totally. When you have a wired connection, there is no fear of blockage or strength reduction because of a wall or a partition.
COST
When it comes to cost, the wired network is more expensive than the wireless network. The cost of Ethernet cables, routers, switches and several other hardware makes the cost of wired network installation bulky compared to that of wireless network that only require a wireless router and that is all. But in the event that you purchase a repeater that helps strengthen the wireless network over a long distance or you purchase a commercial grade router for a more reliable connection, then prepare to spend a little above the normal in wireless network installation. It should be noted that wire networks stand the test of time when properly installed and standard is not compromised.
SPEED
Gigabit routers developed over the years have increased the speed of the wired network drastically. Generally, wired networks are faster than wireless networks. They are free of dead spots because each device is connected to the network by a separate cable. There is no additional baggage on the journey of the network in wired network connection like in the wireless connection where there may be several interferences, and so, wired network transfer data faster. In the wireless network sphere, the speed is slow. The current configuration or the main network speed is what the speed of every other device depends on in a wireless connection and this will slow down the rate at which data is transferred. Also wireless network can be joined even without invitation (especially un-passworded network) and this mean that un-authorized users may join the network reducing the speed of the network greatly.
MOBILITY
Wired network has zero mobility. For you to be connected to the network in the other room, you have to get the necessary hardware including the Ethernet cable, switches and the likes to make the connection possible. Depending on the device in use and what form of way the network is used, it is usually a tiring work to keep connecting and disconnecting every time This is not so with wireless network. Even on a mobile phone, wireless network can connect to any device that is wireless enabled anywhere there is wireless network. The mobility of wireless network cannot be compared to that of wired network.
WIRES
If you have a wired network installed, then you probably know that there are always lots of wires to deal with. These wires may cause roadblock in the office or at home, and can sometimes be disconnected while cleaning takes place. In wireless network, on the other hand, there are no wires and as such, wireless network creates clean
Overall Wired network still have an upper hand over the wirless network. The wireless network is the future of communication but it still has a long way to go before it can replace the wired network completely.