Modes of connection

Wired and wireless networks

Fingers plugging usb cable into back of laptop — Figure caption,
An ethernet cable being plugged into the back of a laptop

networks are identified by their use of physical wiring to connect devices. They are most often used for office networks or for devices that are unlikely to move as the cables limit the ability to move away from the connection point.

Ethernet

Ethernet is a form of wired communication that is used to connect devices on a local area network . It allows computers, printers and other devices to communicate through a wired connection (cable).

The advantages and disadvantages of ethernet

Advantages	Disadvantages
It provides a stable and reliable connection that is not affected by walls or interference.	Devices must be near to a connection point.
It offers higher speeds than Wi-Fi.	It can be difficult to install because it may have to be run through walls and floors.
It is more secure than a wireless connection, because physical access is usually required to cables. Also, data that is travelling through cables is harder to intercept than a wireless connection.	Cables can appear to be messy.

Advantages	It provides a stable and reliable connection that is not affected by walls or interference.
Disadvantages	Devices must be near to a connection point.

Advantages	It offers higher speeds than Wi-Fi.
Disadvantages	It can be difficult to install because it may have to be run through walls and floors.

Advantages	It is more secure than a wireless connection, because physical access is usually required to cables. Also, data that is travelling through cables is harder to intercept than a wireless connection.
Disadvantages	Cables can appear to be messy.

Wi-fi

Wireless networks use radio waves to carry signals. These signals are limited in range - usually up to 50 metres - but are subject to interference. They can also be blocked by walls.

However, they are ideal for mobile devices as a device can connect to a network as long as it is in the range of a wireless access point (WAP).

A comparison of wired and wireless networks

	Wired networks	Wireless networks
Cost	Installation costs can be expensive.	Cheaper to set up, devices can connect if in the range of a wireless access point.
Installation	Installation requires technical knowledge and space to install cables. Cables can appear to be messy.	Installation is simple as most wireless devices will connect automatically.
Maximum transmission speed	Up to 1 gigabit per second for Ethernet.	Up to 50 megabits per second.
Maximum distance for reliable communication	Up to 100 metres for Ethernet - over 2 kilometres for fibre optic.	Up to 50 metres.
Security of connection	More secure as a physical connection is required to intercept data.	Less secure as wireless signal cannot be contained within a building and no physical connection is needed to intercept data.

	Cost
Wired networks	Installation costs can be expensive.
Wireless networks	Cheaper to set up, devices can connect if in the range of a wireless access point.

	Installation
Wired networks	Installation requires technical knowledge and space to install cables. Cables can appear to be messy.
Wireless networks	Installation is simple as most wireless devices will connect automatically.

	Maximum transmission speed
Wired networks	Up to 1 gigabit per second for Ethernet.
Wireless networks	Up to 50 megabits per second.

	Maximum distance for reliable communication
Wired networks	Up to 100 metres for Ethernet - over 2 kilometres for fibre optic.
Wireless networks	Up to 50 metres.

	Security of connection
Wired networks	More secure as a physical connection is required to intercept data.
Wireless networks	Less secure as wireless signal cannot be contained within a building and no physical connection is needed to intercept data.

Advantages of wi-fi:

Allows you to set up LANs without wires
Wi-fi enabled devices are now widely available
Users can log in from anywhere within the wi-fi network using any wi-fi device

Disadvantages of wi-fi:

Signal strength weakens the further away you are from the router
The wireless connection may not be as secure as a wired connection
Wi-fi signal can be affected by adverse weather conditions. Water droplets absorb the 2.4 Ghz radio frequency and partially block the signal (however, most WAPs are located indoors)

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a form of wireless communication that enables different devices to connect. It works like a small private network between two devices, allowing them to share data and documents.

Many modern devices incorporate Bluetooth. It is often used to connect wireless devices such as:

a keyboard or a mouse to a computer
a speaker to a smartphone
a smartphone to a car's multimedia system

Bluetooth provides a simple way of connecting devices. However, it is limited in transmission speed and range. Transmission speed is often only up to 2 megabits per second.

Advantages of bluetooth:

Low cost to set up
Uses relatively little power compared to other types of wireless connection
You can easily set up bluetooth networks with other bluetooth enabled devices

Disadvantages of bluetooth:

Short range
Low level of security
Low data transmission rate

Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers - OCRModes of connection