Wired and Wireless networks and performances

• Bandwidth


  A measurement of the capacity of a network.

  The maximum volume of data that can be transferred
• Latency


  The time between data being transmitted and the moment it reaches its destination
• Data transfer rate 


  Is the speed at which data is transmitted from one device to another and is measured in bits per second.
• How do you calculate the time to transfer a file?

  1. Convert file size (MiB) to bits -> 1024 x 1024 x 8
  2. Convert speed to bits per second -> 1000 x 1000
  3. Divide bits by bits per second -> e.g 54 x 1024 x 1024 x 8 / 25 x 1000 x 1000
• How does the Ethernet (copper) work? 


  Transmits using electrical signals
• What is the range of an ethernet cable?


  Short : up to 100m

  Switches or repeaters can be used to extend the range.
• What is the speed of the ethernet cable?


  up to 10 Gbps
• What is the latency in ethernet cables?


  High: Copper cables is susceptible to inferference and latency increases over longer distances
• What is the usage of ethernet cable?

  Used to connect computers and devices to LAN
• Fibre optic


  Transmits using light pulses
• What is the range of a fibre optic cable?


  Longer: around 60 miles before signal needs to be repeated
• What is the speed of a fibre optic cable?

  Low: signals are less susceptible to interference
• What is the usage of a fibre optic cable? 


  Used to connect LANs to form a WAN or provide broadband services
• What type of waves does a wireless connection use to connect to a network?


  radio
• Is Wi-Fi an internet connection?


  Nope
• How does the computer connect to the network?

  via the Wireless Access Point (WAP)
• In terms of installation which connection is better? Wired or Wireless?


  Wireless, because a WLAN (wireless LAN) is less time consuming ans less disruptive to install
• In terms of flexibility, is a wireless of wired connection better?


  Wireless because a device can be added to the network using the SSID and password.

  A wired connection requires location of network sockets and switches
• In terms of range, is a wired or wireless connection better?


  A wired connection as it can transmit data across long distances. Theoretical range of 100 m for a wireless connection
• In terms of bandwidth, which is faster?


  Wired
• In terms of latency, which one has a lower latency?


  Wired connection
• In terms of reliability, which one is better?


  Wired connection because it delivers at a constant speed whereas a wireless connection can be inconsistent
• In terms of security, which is better?


  Wired