House Wiring

Introduction

A communications channel or a network link is a connection between two or more computers for the purpose of sharing data over the computer network. A computer system consists of two or more computers and several hardware devices connected to share software, hardware and data. The computer system also facilitates electronic communication between users of different computers. There are several techniques for connecting different computers that are on different floors in the same building. These methods get classified as wired or wireless connections. The type of connection used in a computer network determines how data travels over the network, as each connection has its advantages and disadvantages. Examples of computer networks include home networks, Internet and business networks (Morley & Parker, 2010).

Wired connections

Wired connections are computer networks in which the devices get connected physically. They are common in business and home networks. To set up a wired computer network, the following get required that is a wired router, network cards and Ethernet cables. Wired connections make use of a router that gets hooked to an internet connection. An Ethernet cable gets used to connect the two computers to the router that then distributes the internet access among the two computers as well as facilitating communications between the two computers. To set up the connection the router gets placed in a central location and plugged into a surge protected outlet. The cable gets plugged into the router’s WAN port and run to an internet device such as a modem. The cables are run from the router to the Ethernet adapter on each workstation. The network devices then get turned on one at a time.

Advantages of wired networks

a)      Wired connections are fast and secure since they transfer data over high bandwidth cables and get shielded against an interface. Speeds for data transfer can be as high as 1, 000 Mbps for wired connections, unlike wireless networks that range between 100 Mbps (Geier, 2011).

b)      Wired connections are simple to configure since most computers have preconfigured settings necessary to join a wired network once plugged into a router (Oja & Parsons, 2012).

Disadvantages

a)      The range of the cable limits the range of a device on a wired network.

Wireless connections

Wireless connections are computer networks in which devices get connected with wireless signals. They get used mostly in business networks, home networks and also found in public locations. In setting up a wireless computer network, the following are required that is a wireless router, a wireless network adapter cards and a remote print server for the printer. In setting up the connection, the following necessary steps get followed. The wireless router gets placed in a central location and is set up, the computer gets connected to the router, the router setup utility is accessed and configured, a password gets created, a service set identifier gets entered, security gets activated, and an encryption key gets created. Finally, the wireless workstations and wireless devices like printers get set up.

Advantages of wireless connections

a)      It is the easiest and probably the cheapest way of connecting the two computers with range extenders placed on the different floors of the building as well as any regions where the signal is likely to drop.

b)      Wireless networks provide mobility as it is easy to move notebooks and tablet computers from room to room or even outdoors.

c)      The absence of unsightly wires and cables in wireless networks makes the wireless network popular.

d)     Wireless connections are easy to maintain as compared to wired connections

Disadvantages of wireless connections

a)      They are less secure compared to wired connections; hence require protection to restrict access

b)      The speed is slower compared to wired connections

c)      The distance range of accessing wifi network gets limited to a particular circumference.

Conclusion

A wireless connection is the easiest as well as the most cost-effective technique of setting up the connection between the two computers in your 100-year-old plastered-walled 10-foot high ceiling home. Hence, the wireless connection gets recommended.

References

Geier, E. (2011). Home Networking All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.

Morley, D., & Parker, C. S. (2010). Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow. Course Technology Cengage Learning. p. 292

Oja, D., & Parsons, J. J. (2012). Computer Concepts Illustrated: Introductory, Enhanced Edition, 9th. Cengage Learning. P. 144- 146

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in affordable custom writing if you need a similar paper you can place your order from college research paper services.