There is no doubt there’s no doubt that we are moving towards wireless technology. Unlimited Wireless Internet technologies allow the ease of connecting to the Internet from any location.
So wifi is the ideal choice for those who want to access the Internet and be online.
The growth of more IoT applications means we’ll see a wide variety of smart devices in our workplaces and homes soon, devices that connect to the Internet and function wirelessly.
You can also connect to Ethernet through wifi. To do this, you need to be aware of what it takes to transform wifi signals into an Ethernet connection.
Do all these advances with IoT applications creation and the development of wireless technology indicate. In fact that the age of Ethernet is now over? Do you think traditional cable connections will be utilized to connect online?
This article will go over the major distinctions in Ethernet and wifi connection. Also, you’ll learn which one is the most suitable for your requirements.
What is wifi?
Wifi is a wireless technology that connects devices to the Internet without requiring a physical wired connection. It was first introduced in 1999 and is the most widely used kind of connection currently in use.
The introduction of Wi-Fi was a wonderful thing. It has allowed for faster internet access to those in areas that are difficult to reach as well as allowed connecting new devices to be an easy task — without mentioning, it has reduced the number of cables that are in our floors.
If you’re looking for the most speedy and stable connection you can get it’s best to stick to using an Ethernet cable. It’s less reliable but it comes with a host of benefits.
What is Ethernet?
Introduced in 1973, Ethernet is a method to connect devices on networking. Comprising comprised of Ethernet cable hub, crossover cable, and a router allows devices to transfer data through networks.
Ethernet is not the same as wifi. Wifi
If you asked the question some time long ago, the answer might be different from the current situation. Because Ethernet is a cable-based connection that is wired, it can work a little faster than wireless connections.
Wifi connections can be a little slower, but they offer the convenience of being within a certain range. Nowadays, wifi hotspots can easily be found in numerous locations.
Speed
Wifi was initially built in the 802.11g standard. The theoretical maximum speed was 54Mbps.
Mobile phones could connect to the Internet via this connection; however, speeds were much slower than Ethernet that could provide 100Mbps-1,000Mbps or more.
802.11ac is the most recent wifi standard that offers speeds up to 3,200Mbps. With this latest standard, wifi is now better positioned than Ethernet in terms of speed.
Reliability
The speed mentioned above is only theoretical.
An Ethernet connection provides a steady speed. You’ll be able to notice this fast and steady speed if the files you download are large. Ethernet connections can also use to stream HD videos.
Wifi is prone to interference caused by a variety of environmental elements. The weather can trigger problems, and wifi frequently results in inconsistent performance. You’ll notice intermittent signaling when you go from one location to another within your home. This problem can be cured when you place your router in the ideal place within your home or office; however, it’s not easy to attain the same reliable performance as Ethernet connections.
Security
Another important aspect.
The data transmitted over an Ethernet connection is only accessible by devices physically connected to the network. Therefore, there is no risk of losing information or being hacked.
They must use firewalls to protect them.
However, wifi has no security and is considered an open system, which means its data isn’t secured. When sending sensitive data, ensure that you use wifi networks that ensure the data you are encrypting and secured. Secure encryption is the WPA2-PSK method, while WEP is the least secure.
The free public wifi network is the most vulnerable.
Latency
Speed and quality of connections aren’t the only factors to think about – latency is also an important factor.
The term “latency” refers to the amount of time information travels from one device to the destination. Also known as a ping in the online games world. It is crucial in games. The time to react must be swift for the IoT data world.
If you’re looking to avoid annoying lags or delays while posting and uploading data, then using an Ethernet connection could be the best choice. Wired connections are more efficient and have less latency.
Interference
Many gadgets in our homes or workplaces could interfere with wifi and cause various issues.
These include:
- Signals dropped
- Greater latency
- Lower speeds
Therefore, Ethernet has a higher degree of reliability in interference.
Portable Devices
No one is connecting their phones to Ethernet. For mobile or remote devices, wifi is the obvious first option.
Which Connection to Choose?
- If you’re looking for internet access for daily use, then a properly configured wifi router can provide the right connection.
- However, if you’re a gaming enthusiast and don’t want to risk an unstable connection, choose Ethernet.
- Similar to that, if you want streaming HD videos with no issues or connecting multiple connected devices, then you’ll get better performance from the Ethernet connection.
Wireless routers also feature Ethernet ports, which means you can set up devices independently without problems.
Ethernet is generally more efficient than Wi-Fi.
If you are looking for a speedy connection, think about connecting all of your devices to Ethernet. This is due to the fact that Ethernet is generally quicker than Wi-Fi to similar routers.
Radio waves are extremely fast. However, an Ethernet cable allows your devices to send and receive information almost instantly. This is especially true when you are connected to a fibre optic connection.
It also means it isn’t a matter of the distance or how close it is to your router. So as long you have an Ethernet cable is able to reach the desired distance, there will be no slowdown in speed.
It is possible to compare the Wi-Fi as well as Ethernet speeds by conducting a short speed test with both connections. It is likely that you will notice that Ethernet to be faster. Ethernet connectivity to be quicker.
Ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi signal.
If you want to use an analogy the Ethernet cable is the same way a landline to a mobile phone. Instead of transmitting signals wirelessly, the Ethernet cable transmits information via a wire.
In essence, this means that information is less likely to be lost or damaged along the process. Also, you don’t need to worry about signal getting blocked or slowing down by the proximity of electronic devices or obstructions.
If your Ethernet cable is physically damaged the cable, nothing can cause disruption, short of power failure.
Final Words
Both wifi, as well as Ethernet, come with advantages and disadvantages. They depend on various variables like interference, medium standards, protocol standard, and latency. Wifi is becoming more than ever. However, Ethernet connections can still provide important advantages. Therefore, it is important to select your network according to your requirements.
If you’ve found this article helpful and want to know more about wifi and Ethernet, make sure you send it to all of your contacts and visit Ubidots. The simple but robust IoT platform lets you collect information from any device connected to the Internet.
