Wired vs Wireless Networks – Advantages, Disadvantages, Meaning for Your Business

With the growing inception of new technologies and steady increase in internet connections, the way businesses access data has drastically changed in recent years. Even though the world is heading towards a wireless future, many businesses continue to remain with their wired networks. With the increasing advancements in IT, both wired and wireless networks carry advantages and disadvantages for small and large businesses.

If your business is considering establishing or reconstructing your IT network infrastructure, you should know about a wired vs wireless network and their pros and cons. Here are few things to compare before you decide on either a Wifi or Ethernet.

Both wired network and wireless networks have their pros and cons, yet determining which option is the best for your business depends on your company’s needs. The cost is also a major factor you should consider if you have a predetermined budget. What is cheaper—wired or wireless? The cabling of wired networks is expensive, so getting a wired network connection will be more costly for your business. Yet, the reasons why a wired network is better than wireless are the advantages of wired networks.

Comparison Chart for Wired vs Wireless network

On the Basis Of Specification

Wired Network for Business

What is Wired Network?

A wired network is connecting two or more devices like computers, printers,and others by Ethernet cables.These Ethernet linked networks are the most commonly used local area network (LAN) technology by small businesses. The wired network is linked with 3 kind of cables:

• DSL. It is a wired network connection that uses the copper wire lines used for a telephone connection.  
• Coaxial Cable. It is provided by the cable operators through the same coaxial cables used for Television sets. 
• Fiber Optic Cable. It is the advanced version and much better than the DSL and coaxial cables. 

By using these cables we connect your devices (such as a computer)  to the ethernet port of the router. These cables then allow free flow of internet connection to all the devices.

What do you need to deploy a Wired Network?

There are certain components that you essentially need for a well-functioning wired network.  What hardware is needed for a wired network is a very commonly asked question, so here the basic things that you will need:

• Wired Network Adapter
• Wired Network Router
• Cables 
• Wired Network Extender
• Wired Network Interface Cards

Though you do not have to stress upon ‘how do I set up a wired network?’ 

Call Ighty support as a professional IT company to do it for you.

What are the Advantages of a Wired Network?

You may consider wired networks as ‘old school,’ but it offers some essential benefits which a wireless connection lacks.

• Control. Wired networks allow you to have more control over what devices connect to the network, which gives you more control over the devices’ security protocols.
• Security. When you consider whether wired or wireless is more secure, then wired networks always have a higher point in the comparison. Wired network security holds itself superior to that of a wireless network making it harder for cyber attackers to connect and hack into it.
• Speed. Wired network speeds tend to be quite faster than their wireless counterpart as they are less likely to be affected by many forms of interference. 
• Reliability and Stability. The wired network offers better reliability and stability as compared to the wireless network. It is because the signals are not influenced by other networks. 
• Visibility. When devices are connected with a wired network, other wired networks are not visible. This avoids any interference with the connection.

What are the Disadvantages of a Wired Network? 

The wired network has limited drawbacks, which you can handle without difficulties with a network specialist’s help.

• Maintenance. Maintenance and repair in the wired network can become more complex. To repair issues with a wired network, the network operators have to first determine where the issues are raised from before working on them.
• Cable Clutter. Because of all the wires needed to maintain a wired network, you can find yourself in an office cluttered in cables, creating a hazardous environment if they are not carefully installed.
• Mobility. With a limited number of ports and cables available in office settings, wired networks can limit employee access and mobility.
• Installation. The wired network installation can be complex and take more time. There are many devices and structured cabling which need to be done in the wired network.

Wireless Network Advantages

• Device Access. Wireless networks facilitate the use of many devices in the workplace, allowing employees to even use their own portable devices to work.

  • Wireless Network Types: WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network, WMAN (Wireless Metropolitan Area Network), and WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network)

• Mobility.  Wireless networks allow employees to access important files and information from anywhere in the office, which can increase office productivity.

• Organization. Since there are fewer cables to worry about in a wireless network, it allows your office to be more organized and easier to maintain.

What are the Advantages of a Wireless Network?

The wireless network eliminates the cons of wired networks and provides many benefits to  small businesses. 

• Device Access. Wireless networks facilitate the use of many devices in the workplace, allowing employees to even use their own portable devices to work.
• Mobility.  Why do companies use wireless networks? One of the major reasons is mobility. Wireless networks allow employees to access important files and information from anywhere in the office, increasing office productivity and saving a lot of time.
• Organization. Since there are fewer cables to worry about in a wireless network, it allows your office to be more organized and easier to maintain.
• Cost. A wireless network is an inexpensive solution for your business. But if you require additional equipment for increasing signal strength and distance, then the cost of wireless networks will rise.
• Installation. A wireless network can be installed quickly because there is less equipment. Connecting your devices with an internet connection is also very easy. 
• BYOD. A wireless network is more suitable when your business has BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies. 
• Expandability. The wireless network is easy to expand with the use of access points and range extenders.
• Maintenance. Wireless networks do not require much maintenance work as there is very less equipment.
• No Clutter of Wires. There are very limited wires and cables used in wireless connections. So your office remains free of wire clutter.

What are the Disadvantages of a Wireless Network?

Wireless networks have many benefits, but you should be ready to face the drawbacks. If you think these cons of wireless networks will severely affect your business productivity, then get a wired network or hybrid solution instead.

• Security. Wireless networks have security issues that make it easier for unauthorized individuals to hack into your signal, giving them access to critical information. Since most offices don’t have full control over what devices connect to their wireless network, an infected device could access the network and transfer its malware to other company devices.
• Speed. Is wireless faster than wired? It’s easier for wireless networks to be affected by outside interference, making network connectivity slower, cutting down on office productivity. However, continuous advancements in wireless technology have diminished the speed difference.
• Reliability. Wireless networks are less reliable and stable as other networks can obstruct the Wi-Fi signals and cause interruptions in the connection.
• Cost. The cost of equipment and especially the ethernet cables is high. If you have many points for network connection, then your network topology will become complex, increasing the overall cost for your business. 

Wired Network vs Wireless Networks: Which is the Best for Your Business?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both wired and wireless networks, yet determining which option is the best for your business depends on your company’s needs, such as the type of data information your business handles and any regulatory restrictions you may face. 

Due to this never-ending comparison, companies prefer to adopt a hybrid approach, maintaining a primary wired network and at the same time using a wireless network for low-importance mobility or visitors.

If you’re still uncertain whether a wireless or wired network is the best for your small business, or if you’re not sure where to start, Ighty Support can help! We provide expert IT management and network installation services to work within your requirements and budget. Visit us at www.ightysupport.com or give us a call toll-free at 1-855-MY-DFW TECH for a free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Different Types of Wired Networks?

The three major types of wired networks are—DSL, coaxial cable, and fiber optic technology. 

What are the Types of Wireless Networks?

The main types of wireless networks are—LAN, MAN, WAN, and PAN. 

What is the difference between a wired and wireless network?

As their name indicates, the major difference in wired and wireless networks is the use of cables to connect devices.