The Ethernet and WiFi Protocols

• The TCP/IP protocol suite has more than two protocols, it is a whole stack of protocols each operating in different layers
• Ethernet


  A family of standardized protocols that operate in the link layer to format data and transmit it on the same network segment using twisted pair cables
• Frames


  The term used to refer to data packets in link layer protocols like Ethernet
• Wi-Fi


  A standardized family of wireless local area network protocols that use radio waves in a specific frequency band to communicate
• Channels


  Small frequency ranges within the Wi-Fi frequency band that devices use to communicate to avoid interference
• WPA/WPA2


  Protocols in the Wi-Fi family that provide encryption for data transmitted over Wi-Fi networks
• Wi-Fi


  • Allows remote/mobile connectivity
  • Cheap and easy to set up
  • Easy to expand network
  • Susceptible to interference
  • Limited range and easily blocked
  • Less stable and reliable than wired connections
  • Generally slower and more vulnerable to hacking than wired connections
• Wired connections


  • Generally more stable and reliable than Wi-Fi
  • Slightly better in terms of latency and speed than Wi-Fi