Choosing wired or wireless for your home network

By Lisa Phifer

Home networks help you get the most out of your High-speed Internet account. Instead of binding your high-speed link to a single PC, home networks let everyone in your household share the Internet at no additional cost. You can have a Wi-fi wireless network or you can use a traditional network that uses wires to connect to your home network. But how do you choose between wired and wireless connections?
Wired Home Networks: Predictable And Proven

Wired networks have used Ethernet local area network (LAN) technology for well over a decade. The vast majority of business networks use Ethernet extensively to support mission-critical applications. That proven track record is, all by itself, a pretty compelling reason to go with wired Ethernet for your home network.

Pros and Cons: Wired Ethernet Advantages: Reliable, ubiquitous, easy to configure Disadvantage: Cable clutter, ties you down, not always practical Wireless Wi-Fi Advantages: Untethered freedom, highly mobile and flexible Disadvantages: More complex install/set-up, vulnerable to interference

In an Ethernet-based home network, a cable connects your DSL or cable modem to your high-speed router's Internet-facing "WAN" port. Most high-speed routers have a built-in Ethernet switch with several "LAN" ports that can be cabled to desktop PCs, notebooks, printers, digital video recorders, gaming consoles, and other Ethernet-capable devices

Nearly every desktop and notebook manufactured this millennium has built-in Ethernet; just plug those devices right into your wired home network. To connect systems without built-in Ethernet, you must purchase network adapters. Inexpensive Ethernet adapters are widely available in a variety of form factors, from PCI cards (installed inside desktops) to PCMCIA cards (slipped into notebook slots) to USB sticks (easily plugged into many devices, including Tivos, Playstations, and printers). Ethernet connection set-up is minimal. In most cases, you simply enable the LAN connection and your high-speed router does the rest. And, unless you trip over a cable and pull it loose, Ethernet connections are very consistent and reliable.


Figure 1: Wired Network Components
However, cables can be messy, inconvenient, or downright impractical. For example, although compact flash (CF) Ethernet adapters do exist, handheld PDAs are rarely cabled to home networks. Instead, cradles are used to synchronize data between PDA and PC, failing to tap the PDA's true mobility benefits.

When home networks are used to interconnect new entertainment devices, it is often possible but not terribly attractive to run cables throughout your home. Homeowners that enjoy do-it-yourself projects can hide unsightly cables by pulling "Category 5 plenum" through walls, terminated by utility boxes with wall plates containing "RJ-45" jacks. The task requires plenty of patience, a good how-to-guide, and cable crimping/testing tools, available from your local Home Depot, Radio Shack, CircuitCity or similar supply store. While you're shopping, stock up on the short, ready-made "patch cables" needed to connect devices to each other and wall jacks.


Figure 2: Wired Network Cables and Connectors

Wireless Home Networks: Flexible And Futuristic

Of course, in-wall wiring isn't for everyone. Fishing cables may not be practical or possible inside rental units, plaster or adobe walls, and historic homes. In fact, hidden or exposed Ethernet cables may not be able to reach every location of interest to your household. Wireless networks use Wi-Fi technology to cut the cord, replacing those Ethernet patch cables with radio signals, sent over the airwaves throughout your home.

Figure 3: Wireless Network Components

Wi-Fi technology is not brand spanking new. Wireless routers that you might purchase today are third or fourth-generation products, incorporating advances made since Wi-Fi first started making home network news back in 2002. Today, two out of three businesses make some use of Wi-Fi, and wireless Internet "hotspots" have become very common in hotels, business centers, airports, bookstores, and cafes.

A wireless network can let you enjoy that same untethered freedom at home. As with a wired home network, your high-speed modem remains cabled to your router's "WAN" port. However, instead of purchasing an Ethernet-only high-speed router, you'll purchase a wireless router. Most wireless routers still have "LAN" ports for connecting nearby Ethernet devices, like desktop PCs and printers. But wireless routers also have radio antennas used to communicate with other Wi-Fi devices in or near your home.

Virtually every notebook shipped in 2005 had built-in Wi-Fi, as did many PDAs and smartphones. A wireless network makes it easy to connect these devices, right out of the box, without restricting use to a single location. Desktops, entertainment centers, and many other devices without built-in Wi-Fi can be connected by adding adapters. Wi-Fi adapters come in many shapes and sizes, at entry-level prices that are just slightly higher than Ethernet adapters. An extensive list of certified Wi-Fi adapters can be found at www.wifialliance.org, including the tiny SDIO cards that add Wi-Fi to phones, cameras, MP3 players, and many other mobile devices.

Wireless avoids cable clutter and inconvenience, while letting you surf the Web from your bedroom, family room, or backyard. But it's important to understand the considerations and limitations of using Wi-Fi in your home network.

• Wi-Fi products are not universally compatible. In particular, 802.11b/g products communicate with each other, but not with 802.11a products. "Extended range" or "speed booster" features only work if you buy your wireless router and adapters from one manufacturer. Read the Wi-Fi label on the box before you buy.

• Wi-Fi connection set-up requires a tad more effort than Ethernet. You'll have to configure a few parameters, like the name of your network and a password used for security. Many products now include wizards to simplify this set-up.

• Most new Wi-Fi products support Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA or WPA2) security. Turn security on to stop outsiders from using your network or listening to messages you send and receive, and to avoid accidentally connecting to your neighbor's network. No one can use your network unless they have the WPA/WPA2 password you configured into your wireless router.

• Distance, obstacles, and radio interference affect all wireless networks. In a Wi-Fi network, connections will work reliably when devices are close to the router. But connections will grow slow and spotty if you move far away, outside, or near a competing device like a microwave oven. Careful router positioning can help you optimize coverage in locations of greatest importance, but don't expect Wi-Fi to reach more than about 150 feet inside a typical home. In general, the router should be positioned higher (like in the second story office in your home) rather than lower (as in the basement).

Mix And Match

Ultimately, you don't have to choose wired OR wireless. A wireless router with Ethernet ports lets you have your cake and eat it too. You can also add wireless to a wired network by plugging a wireless router or access point into one of your high-speed router's LAN ports. Either way, cable a desktop or notebook to your wireless router to complete initial set-up. Then turn Wi-Fi on and see how it goes. Remember, just because the router supports Wi-Fi does not mean you have to use it.

Some consumers prefer the reliability of Ethernet, while others simply cannot tolerate cables. In the end, most of us end up with a mixture of wired and wireless connections inside our home network. The considerations in this article can help you decide the best solution for each member of your household, reflecting device capabilities, desired locations, and user needs.