The Wireless Network Approach
Wireless has been around for a considerable amount of time in comparison to how long the Internet’s been around. However, it has only been a valid option for home users in the past several years. The wireless movement in North America has just begun and promises a great deal, but is it truly the best options for us? Maybe some of these Pros and Cons might shed some light on the subject.
The Pros to a "Wireless" Network
- Mobility
By far the biggest advantage. Being able to access the internet from any location inside and out side the home is a huge advantage. - Setup
Even those without a great deal of networking experience can set a wireless network. Just plug the wireless router or base station into the modem and wireless PC or console can connect to the internet with little or no effort. - Lack of mess
Without any wires it provides the tidiest solution of all the networking possibilities.
The Cons to a "Wireless" Network
- Speed
It still cannot compare to the speeds that are available to the wired networks, but it is getting closer every day. - Reliability
Wireless networks are still more susceptible to inference than their wired counterparts. While I have been fortunate in having a good strong connection, I have still experienced the odd disconnect from time to time. However, it is important to note that in my experience, your router selection and configuration plays a big part in this. - Cost
The biggest drawback of the wireless solution. It is still fairly expensive to go wireless but costs have been gradually decreasing.
For the average home user the wired network is the favored network set-up, simple and cost effective. But more and more home users need to be able to move their laptops around to places where network cables cannot run. While this is ideal for a business network, the home environment is completely different and needs to be less restricted.
The wireless solution offers mobility but at a cost of reliability and expense. So which of the two is the better choice? That’s for the you to decide. For myself however, I am going to enjoy using my wireless Xbox and Xbox 360 adapter in my home.
Networking Resources
For more resources on computer networking and the benefits of a wired network versus a wireless network, see our Networking Guide's site.
- Wireless / Networking
Visit the Computer Networking site here at About.com for more information on networking solutions.
