With the proliferation of wireless networking and communication equipment, it's all too tempting to cut the cord and save a substantial amount of money. However, can a wireless network handle everything that a typical computer networking user requires? Consider the following advantages and disadvantages:
1. One significant benefit of a cabled network is the amount of available bandwidth, or simply speed. At the moment, connection speeds of up to 1000Mbit/sec can be achieved using a simple and inexpensive CAT5E cable, whereas the best that IEEE802.11g (one of the many flavors of Wi-Fi) can offer is only 54Mbit/sec. It may not seem significant if you are only browsing the Internet and your DSL connection is only 1.5Mbit/sec. However, if you need to print via your network connection to a remote printer, you should be aware that print jobs can easily exceed dozens or even hundreds of megabytes in size, depending on the amount of graphic data contained in them. Because 1Byte=8bit, a 100MByte print job will take 15 seconds to transmit via a Wi-Fi wireless connection, but will take only 1 second or less over a wired 1000MBit/s Ethernet connection. The same principle applies to file transfers and backups on other computers on the network.
2. It is not possible to transmit the power required for your networking device over a wireless link today, and it is unlikely to be possible in the future. Unless you are willing to be exposed to extremely high levels of microwave radiation. Thus, a device marketed as "un-tethered" will actually be quite tethered via the power cord or will require periodic recharging. Power consumption is becoming increasingly important for devices that are expected to be constantly connected, such as phones. As a result, it is best to connect it via a cable capable of delivering both power and the communication signal simultaneously.
3.Wireless communications are highly proprietary, requiring a diverse array of conversion equipment to transmit multi-media signals. The same CAT5E cable can support phone, computer network, balanced line level audio, baseband video, and a variety of other, more specialized, control applications signals without modification. With the use of inexpensive adapters called "baluns," a single cable can carry a significant number of broadband television channels or a baseband video signal, such as a security camera output, over long distances. All of those applications, with the exception of the computer network, will require specialized high-cost conversion equipment to be transmitted over a Wi-Fi link.
4.The cost savings associated with not running wires throughout the house are not as straightforward as they appear. By installing a wireless network in your home, you are removing the need for wiring for a single application – computer networking. However, even without computers, a modern home requires a variety of wiring. Obviously, electricity and telephones are examples, as are thermostats and security systems. Pre-wired speakers are common, and the majority of homes now include intercom systems as an optional feature, which also require extensive wiring. It is highly likely that the contractor who installed the intercom or security cables is also qualified to install computer cables – CAT5E or higher. If you are building a home, you should definitely check to see if computer cabling is an option, and our advice is to purchase it before the walls are closed. Later, it will be a fairly involved and costly procedure to install the cables. As an additional cost benefit of a wired computer network, all modern computers include a wired Ethernet network interface card, and the latest models include 1000MBit/sec cards that are effectively free to the computer's owner.
There are numerous resources available for planning and designing residential cabling systems for voice, data, audio, video, and other applications. The TIA/EIA-570B standard, the most recent version of which was published in 2004, is one of the best sources. The standard specifies recommended cable types, cable distribution principles for single- and multi-dwelling units, and the recommended number of cables to install based on the size of the house.
In conclusion, cutting the wire appears to be a step forward, a liberation of the computer from the infrastructure's shackles. I would caution the reader, however, to approach the wireless revolution with a more balanced and informed perspective. There are still (and will continue to be) compelling reasons to include a properly designed cabling system in your dream home's options list.
