Wired and Wireless Networks

Wired Networks

Wired networks use physical cables to connect devices together into a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).
Devices connected to a wired network can include computers, servers, printers, and other peripheral hardware.
The most common types of cables used in a wired network include Ethernet cables, coaxial cables and fiber optic cables.
Wired networks have many advantages, such as lower latency, high data transfer rates, and more secure compared to wireless networks.
One disadvantage of wired networks is that they can be expensive and complex to install and maintain especially in large buildings, due to the physical cabling infrastructure required.

A wireless network allows devices to connect and communicate without the need for physical cables.
Devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and IoT devices connect to a wireless network using built-in wireless network adapters.
Common types of wireless networks include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks (such as 3G, 4G, and 5G networks).
Advantages of wireless networks include mobility and ease of setup, meaning devices can connect to the network from anywhere within the signal’s range without the need for physical infrastructure.
However, wireless networks also have several drawbacks such as being more susceptible to interference and attacks, having a limited range, and potentially lower data transfer rates compared to wired.

Both wired and wireless networks rely on specific hardware devices for their operation.
Routers are used in both wired and wireless settings to route data packets between networks.
In a wired network, network switches are used to connect devices within a network and manage data traffic.
In wireless networks, a wireless access point (WAP) is used to transmit and receive the wireless signals.

With both wired and wireless networks, security is of utmost importance.
For wired networks, physical access can be restricted as a form of security.
Wireless networks, however, can be more vulnerable due to the nature of signal transmission. They employ security protocols like WPA2 or WPA3 to keep the network secure.
Firewalls, antivirus software, and network monitoring tools are often used to enhance both wired and wireless network security.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be utilised to create a secure connection over a less secure network, like the Internet.

The performance of a network can be measured in terms of latency, which is the delay in data communication over the network, and bandwidth, which is the amount of data that can be transferred over the network per unit of time.
Wired networks generally provide higher performance, lower latency and higher security, but lack the flexibility and ease of setup provided by wireless networks.