Wired and Wireless are the two different types of a computer network having their own advantages and disadvantages. Hence, in wired network data travels via cable on the other hand in wireless network data travels over a radio wave. Here is the difference between wired and wireless network (WLAN vs ELAN) and side by side comparison table.
Difference between Wired and Wireless Network
Wired Network |
Wireless Network |
| The IEEE standard for Ethernet LAN is IEEE 802.3. | The IEEE standard for WLAN is IEEE 802.11. |
| Ethernet LANs uses electric signals to transmit data. | WLANs uses high energy radio waves to transmit data. |
| Electric signals flow over cables; hence a wired connection is required between devices that are connected to Ethernet LANs. | Radio waves travel through space; hence a physical connection is not required between devices that are connected to WLANs. |
| Ethernet supports Full-duplex (FDX) mechanism for communication. | WLAN uses half-duplex (HDX) mechanism for communication. |
| LAN uses CSMA/CD to detect collisions in the network. | WLAN uses CSMA/CA to avoid collisions in the network. |
| Low noise signal | High noise signal |
| Wired LAN offers better performance as compared to wireless networks. The wired network can offer 1000Mbps bandwidth using Fast Ethernet technology. But, traditional Ethernet provides speeds up to 100Mbps. | Maximum bandwidth provided by the wireless network is about 11Mbps. However, 802.11 a and 802.11 g provides speed up to 54Mbps. |
| The existing wired network can be expanded by adding hubs and switches along with laying cables. So it is a tedious job to expand a wired network. | The mobility of wireless network is better as compared to wired networks. Laptops and other mobile computing devices can be moved around freely within the wireless network. |
