Are wireless networks now as good as wired?

Question

I'm moving office; we only have 3 pc's on the current wired network, but I'm thinking I have the opportunity to go wireless in the new office (although I gather wires are already there). Are there any advantages these days in staying wired?

Answer 1

Wired networks have three main advantages over wireless networks: speed, cost, and reliability. Wireless networks offer two main advantages over wired networks: flexibility and lack of cables.

Wired networks are relatively simple to configure. You add a network card to each computer, attach a cable to the network card and the switch or hub, and you’re in business. Another point on which wired networks often score over wireless networks is security: Because the range of a wireless access device often extends beyond the physical boundaries of the location it’s covering, someone can tap into the network from outside the location.

Check this link:

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home_newnetwork_wiredwireless.php

Answer 2

For business you are best served with a wired connection because it is faster, not subject to interference, more secure, more stable and less costly than a truely secure wireless business class network.

You state the new location is already wired. This means one of the major costs of a network install has already been addressed - even further promoting the reason to go with wired.

The mobility advantage of wireless is way overstated for business applications. People work at their desk, in the conference room, and in other locations in the building where network ports are available.

Stick with the wired - you will not regret it.

Answer 3

wireless is nice and no hassle of wires etc. but how ever wireless G speeds are 54 mbps. the latest wireless N is supposed be faster but most older computers arent N compatible so you would have to buy N network cards , or either use N network USB adapter and wireless can be more prong to inruders and hackers etc. but it is possible to secure your wireless network < if it was already hard wired ofice i would stay wired and later if you were gonna add more computers then possible connect them wireless but with wired you want have to deal with keeping the wireless network secured and the hassle of intruders trying to hack the network key and acess ur network. and as mentioned wired cone ts at 100.0 mbps not a big difference that u will see , but in a office network i would think the faster the better every bit helps. Goodluck in the new office if its not wired then wireless would be cheaper. but not if its prewired.enjoy.. good luck..............................................

Answer 4

Wired is still more reliable. Walls will interfere with your wireless network, as will myriad other things. Wired connections are also inherently more secure. Having said that wireless networks are fairly reliable and are reasonably secure. As long as you are still going to have wired connections in your office, adding wireless would probably be a good idea. I wouldn't rely totally on wireless though.

Answer 5

Wired is faster, but wireless is also very fast, for most things you should be fine wireless, but you may need a new router and a way of recieving the wireless signal on your computers.

You will only notice a big difference between wireless and wired if you download huge files and other demanding things.

Answer 6

Close but no cigar. The new "N" technology of wireless helps. We had both in our Office and supported over 1600 connections. Some were wired and some were not. Most users could not tell the difference.

Answer 7

Wired has lots of advantage when compared to
wireless one better have an RnD on wireless fo some PC's then go for wireless, all the best

Answer 8

Wired takes a lot more time to set up for it to be secure (encryptions and whatnot) and there are lots of common problems with it.

The only real advantage I see to wireless is the lack of wires. Wired is more secure, easier to set up, less likely to lose connection, etc. If you can maintain a wired setup without too much hassle, i'd keep it.

Answer 9

If it's for a business then I would stay wired.
Wireless connections can be used by other people with wireless Laptops, which will slow down your upload/download speed and they may be also be able to see information that you send, or receive on a wireless system.

Answer 10

I have both in my office. I prefer the wired, since it's at 100 mbps and the wireless connects at 50. But that may just be a hardware thing...