Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago
Show understanding of the differences between and implications of the use of wireless and wired networks.
| Aspect | Wired Networks | Wireless Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Physical medium | Twisted‑pair copper (e.g., Cat5e/6), coaxial cable, fibre optic | Radio frequency (RF) or infrared electromagnetic waves |
| Typical bandwidth | 10 Mbps – 100 Gbps (depending on cable type) | Up to several Gbps (e.g., 802.11ax), but real‑world often lower due to contention |
| Latency | Low (typically < 1 ms for LAN) | Higher (often 5–30 ms, can increase with distance and obstacles) |
| Signal attenuation | Predictable; limited by cable length (e.g., 100 m for Ethernet) | Strongly affected by distance, walls, interference from other RF devices |
| Security | Physical security – access requires physical connection | Requires encryption (WPA3, etc.) and authentication; vulnerable to eavesdropping and rogue APs |
| Installation & maintenance | Higher initial cost (cabling, conduit), but stable once installed | Lower installation cost, but requires regular firmware updates and site surveys |
| Mobility | Stationary – devices must be physically connected | High – devices can move within coverage area |
| Scalability | Limited by port density and cabling logistics | Scales easily by adding more access points, but spectrum limits apply |
Performance requirements: For latency‑sensitive applications (e.g., online gaming, high‑frequency trading) wired links are preferred because of their lower latency and higher guaranteed bandwidth.
Physical environment: In historic buildings or campuses where cabling is impractical, wireless provides a feasible solution, though designers must account for attenuation caused by walls and furniture.
Security policy: Wired networks benefit from “security through physical isolation”. Wireless networks must implement strong encryption, regular key rotation, and intrusion detection to mitigate eavesdropping risks.
Cost considerations: Initial deployment of wired infrastructure can be expensive, especially over large distances. Wireless reduces upfront costs but may incur ongoing expenses for spectrum licensing (in some cases) and maintenance.
Scalability and future‑proofing: Fibre‑optic cabling offers virtually unlimited bandwidth growth, making it ideal for backbone links. Wireless technologies evolve rapidly (e.g., Wi‑Fi 6E, 5G), allowing incremental upgrades without physical rewiring.
The total transmission time \$T\$ for a data packet of size \$S\$ bits over a link with bandwidth \$B\$ (bits per second) and propagation delay \$D\$ is approximated by:
\$T = \frac{S}{B} + D\$
For wired Ethernet (e.g., \$B = 1\,\text{Gbps}\$, \$D \approx 0.5\,\text{ms}\$) and a 1500‑byte Ethernet frame (\$S = 12\,000\$ bits), the transmission time is:
\$T_{\text{wired}} = \frac{12\,000}{10^9} + 0.5\times10^{-3} \approx 0.500012\ \text{ms}\$
For a typical Wi‑Fi link (\$B = 300\,\text{Mbps}\$, \$D \approx 10\,\text{ms}\$):
\$T_{\text{wireless}} = \frac{12\,000}{3\times10^8} + 10\times10^{-3} \approx 10.00004\ \text{ms}\$
This illustrates why wired connections are preferred for low‑latency requirements.
Both wired and wireless networks have distinct advantages and limitations. Effective network design for the internet and organisational environments requires a balanced approach that considers performance, security, cost, and future scalability. Understanding the quantitative differences—such as bandwidth, latency, and attenuation—allows engineers to make informed decisions about when to deploy each technology.