In recent years, Ethernet hasn’t exactly been fashionable. People are sick of running long wires all over the place, making holes in their walls, and being restricted when it comes to where they can use their computer. Wireless networking has become all the rage – and some predict that it will have killed off Ethernet altogether within a few years.
Wireless networking works by transmitting radio waves through the air. While it isn’t yet strong enough to provide networking for a large area, it is quite possible and cheap to set up a cheap wireless networking system large enough to cover an entire house, using nothing more than a wireless router and a wireless card in each computer you want to use on the network. Newer laptops even come with wireless capabilities completely integrated in the form of Intel Centrino, so you can easily connect to wireless networks wherever you go.
Of course, wireless also has its fair share of downsides. Sure, Ethernet requires ugly wires strewn all over the place, but it’s also much faster, more stable and more reliable. For large businesses or small businesses that have already had all the wires hidden away in their walls, there is little reason to change over to wireless now. Ethernet is also often more secure – wireless networks are often left unsecured, meaning that anyone can drive past and connect to them. While Ethernet networks can be insecure as well, the network intruder at least has to be inside the building in most cases, not sitting in a car outside.
In turn, wireless networking removes a lot of niggles from Ethernet. The best thing is that you no longer have to worry about wires getting damaged somehow and needing to be tracked down for replacement. Ultimately, which one you use will depend on how adventurous you are, and exactly what you plan to do with your network.
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John Gibb is the owner of ethernet resources
For more information on ethernet check out www.ethernet-intelligence.info
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