So you are considering expanding the internet within your home or office. You've decided to create a network that will allow you greater access to the web. The question now is what kind of network do you want to put in. Do you want the freedom of a wireless network, or do you want the security and reliability of a wired network. Both networks can provide you with great service and expandability, but each one varies in size, reliability, cost and speed. It's now just a matter of picking through the pro's and con's of both to see which one suites you the best.



The wired network has been around for some time. In the world of technology you could say it's been around for ages, probably as long as the internet its self. The majority of people see a wired network as being the more secure of the two options. They also offer fantastic transfer speeds. Meaning, that sending files from one computer to the next tend to be faster on a wired network than a wireless one.

The security of the wired network has long been it's strong suite. They provide strong barriers to keep users far from the grasps of malicious hackers and the such. The only way that a person could get into your network is through the external internet connection, before it comes into the home. This as you can imagine would be extremely difficult and eliminates almost 100% of malicious users from your network. The only other possible way for a malicious user to get onto your network, is by connecting directly to your router or switch. However, this is not only difficult because of the obvious, but these attacks can often be averted by the use of firewalls or complicated routers with heavy security.

There are downfalls to the wired network, and for some, these shortcoming outweigh any benefits in speed or security. Wired networks contain one of technologies biggest growing problems, wires! People are struggling with so many wires and power cords these days that some are reluctant to add any more to their homes. Wired networks contain many wires, as you could well assume. And these wires usually need to cross through rooms and floors to reach the desired locations. This means a lot of clutter for the usual home owner. Unless the home owner is willing to shovel out big bucks to hide the wires, or has the wires installed as the home is being built, this problem will be a tangled and messy one. For this reason, wired networks are more often found in the office environment. Here, roof panels can easily be removed to run cables across the ceiling to different rooms and locations.

Other issues afflicting the wired network are, difficulty coping with growth. If you want to add a new computer to your network you have to run a new cable from your router to your computer. This as you can image can be a real pain. Also replacing faulty wiring can be extremely hard to do. If you have your cables running through the walls finding, removing and replacing a faulty cable can be time consuming and expensive. And last all a wired network is restricted. If you want to serf the web while watching T.V. you better have run a cable to your recliner. In such a network the users are required to be wherever it is that the cable pokes out of the wall. So most home owners turn to the wireless network, to create a network with ease and access throughout the house. All this without the mess and restriction of cables.

Wireless networks may be a little slower and less secure, but technology is catching up. Current wireless routers provide faster and faster speeds, and all this with increased protection. Often times the lack of security isn't the fault of the router or hub, but of the user. People tend to be ignorant when it comes to security for their wireless network. Users tend to leave their networks open to attack by not putting up the firewalls provided by the router. This lapse of security makes wireless networks easy targets for malicious user. However, by simply consulting your owners manual, you should be able to put up the appropriate barriers to keep your network safe.

Probably the best feature of wireless networks is the freedom. Gone are all the burdensome wires and trip hazards. Users can breath an untangled sigh of relief and relish in the open spaces of their wireless network. Now you an shop online while watching your favorite t.v. show. Or you can watch your favorite show streamed to your computer while you eat lunch in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, the freedom isn't absolute. Wireless networks do have restrictions that limit their range and effectiveness. Wire free networks can be limited by a couple of factors. The thickness of the walls plays an important factor in providing a strong signal to every inch of the house or office. Thick walls or floors often mean you'll get a weak signal or no signal at all. Their is technology out there that can significantly boost your signal. So if you live in a robust house or apartment you should look into these add ons as a possibility.

Both wired and wireless networks come with their blessings and curses. Which is right for you depends on where the network will be located and what purposes it will serve. In most cases home owners go for wireless networks and offices tend to go wired. But this is slowly changing as people continue to move towards the convenience of wireless networks.

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