Wired and Wireless Networking Explained

A computer network is a group of devices connected to share resources and information. Computer networking explains the technology and devices you use to build computer networks. You can categorize a computer network into two types: wired and wireless. A wired network uses wires to connect devices, whereas a wireless network uses radio spectrum.

Wired network

Wired network uses three "types of cables: coaxial, twisted-pair, and fiber.

Coaxial cables

This cable consists of a conductor, an insulator, braiding, and a sheath. The sheath covers the braiding, the braiding covers the insulation, and the insulation covers the conductor. There are two types of coaxial cables: thicknet and thinnet.

Thicknet coaxial cables are usually 3/8 inch in diameter and have a 50-ohm impedance. It can carry signals up to 500 meters. It offers a speed of 10 megabits per second. It uses baseband transmission. Because of these properties, Ethernet standards define it as 10Base5 (10 megabits per second Baseband transmission over 500 meters). A network uses it as the backbone cable. It connects different network segments.

Thinnet coaxial cables are usually 3/16 in diameter and have an impedance of 50 ohms. It can carry signals up to 200 meters. It offers a speed of 10 megabits per second. It also uses baseband transmission. Ethernet standards describe it as 10Base5 (10 megabits per second Baseband transmission over 200 meters). In a network, it connects end devices such as PCs and printers to the network segment.

Twisted-pair cables

Twisted-pair cable consists of one to four pairs of color-coded, insulated, stranded copper wires twisted together and enclosed in a protective outer sheath. Twisting reduces crosstalk and increases the cable's resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI), improving signal transmission.

There are two types of twisted-pair cables: UTP (unshielded twisted pair) and STP (shielded twisted pair). The main difference between these is that STP uses an extra layer of coating on each pair. The additional coating layer on each pair improves cable performance but increases costs.

Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable

It does not shield each pair individually. It uses only an outer cover to keep all pairs together. Since it uses only the outer coating, it is much cheaper than STP. Due to low cost, flexibility, and good performance, it is mainly used in LAN networks. Almost all modern LAN networks use it to connect devices to the network. It can carry signals up to 100 meters. It is available in various grades or categories based on data transmission speed.

Shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable

The outer insulated jacket protects the twisted-pair cable only from physical stress or damage. However, it does not protect the cable from electromagnetic interference (EMI). If the network premise contains many electrical appliances, UTP cables do not work. In such situations, you can use STP cables to connect devices. STP cables are expensive but feature an additional coating to protect against EMI.

Fiber-optical cables

Instead of copper, fiber-optic cables use glass to carry signals. Since it uses glass to transport signals, electromagnetic interference (EMI) does not affect it.

It reflects light from one endpoint to another. Based on how many beams of light it transmits at a given time, there are two types of fiber-optic cable: single-mode fiber (SMF) and multi-mode fiber (MMF).

SMF carries only a single beam of light. It uses a laser as its light source and emits light at 1300 or 1550 nanometers. It is more reliable and supports much higher bandwidth and longer distances than the MMF cable.

MMF carries multiple beams of light. Because it uses various beams, it can have more data than an SMF cable. It uses an LED as its light source and emits light at 850 or 1300 nanometers. It is used for shorter distances.

Wireless network

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks use radio spectrum to connect devices. In a wireless network, all devices use antennas or sensors to send and receive radio signals. Laptops, mobiles, remotes, satellite receivers, and tablets are examples of wireless devices.

Differences between wired and wireless networks

The following table compares wired and wireless networks and lists their differences.

Conlusion

This tutorial introduced the types of computer networks and the media they use to connect devices. Wired networks use cables such as coaxial, twisted pair, and fiber-optic to ensure reliable connections and high data transfer speeds. On the other hand, wireless networks provide flexibility and convenience, enabling device connectivity without physical cables. By leveraging radio signals, wireless networks support a wide range of devices, including laptops and mobile phones, making them integral to modern communication. Understanding the characteristics and functions of different network types and cables is essential for designing efficient and effective networking solutions tailored to specific needs.