WiFi is a type of wireless network that uses hotspots to connect devices in close proximity to each other and share the Internet. On the other hand, Ethernet is a LAN network standard that is utilized in wired LAN. Learn more about the features of WiFi and Ethernet and how they differ from one another by reading this article.
What is WiFi?
Wireless Fidelity is abbreviated as WiFi. It allows computers and devices with the necessary wireless capacity to communicate with other computers or devices via radio waves and defines any network based on the 802.11 standards. The 802.11 network standards, which describe how two wireless devices interact over the air, were developed by IEEE.
WiFi is a small network in which hotspots connect smartphones, computers, and other networkable devices within a short distance to each other wirelessly and share the Internet. For wireless, high-speed Internet and network connections, WiFi makes use of radio frequency waves. A WiFi antenna can fit on small routers because it is so small. Printers, computers, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and other devices can all be connected with WiFi.
The physical creation of a wireless network is described in terms that are analogous to those of the Ethernet standard in WiFi. The majority of modern computers and mobile devices, including smartphones and handheld game consoles, incorporate WiFi.
Hotspots, which enable mobile users to connect to the internet using WiFi-enabled wireless computers and devices, frequently make use of the WiFi standard. WiFi is also used to wirelessly connect computers and devices in many homes and small businesses.
What is Ethernet?
Ethernet is a common LAN protocol. The IEEE 802.3 standards define it. It is a low-cost implementation that is easy to understand, implement, and maintain. It usually uses Bus Topology, but it can also use other topologies. It is a component of the OSI model's Physical and Data Layers.
Ethernet is a collection of LAN-specific technologies and protocols. The IEEE 802.3 standard was the first to standardize it in the 1980s. For wired Ethernet networks, IEEE 802.3 specifies the physical layer and the medium access control (MAC) sublayer of the data link layer. Ethernet is classified into two categories: switched Ethernet and classic Ethernet.
Classic Ethernet
The original form of Ethernet, known as classic Ethernet, supports data rates ranging from 3 to 10 Mbps. The varieties are frequently referred to as 10BASE-X, where 10 stands for the maximum throughput, which is 10 Mbps, BASE denotes the utilization of baseband transmission, and X denotes the kind of medium that is utilized. In today's communication environment, the majority of traditional Ethernet variants are out of date.
Switched Ethernet
Switches are used to connect a Switched Ethernet to the LAN stations. It makes full use of the bandwidth and takes the place of the repeaters that were used in Classic Ethernet.
Comparison of Ethernet and WiFi
| Key | WiFi | Ethernet |
|---|---|---|
| Concept | WiFi is a wireless network to connect nearby devices to each other and share the internet via hotspots. | Ethernet is a LAN network standard used in wired LAN. |
| IEEE Standard | WiFi is based on IEEE 802.11x specifications where x is WiFi versions. | Ethernet is based on IEEE 802.3 specifications. |
| Connection | Devices can be connected without wires, without ports. | Ethernet is wired and hence no mobility. |
| Flexibility | WiFi is highly flexible. | Ethernet is not flexible. |
| Efficiency | WiFi is less efficient and has latency in network connections. | Ethernet is more efficient and provides more speed. |
| Installation | It is easy to install and deploy a WiFi setup. | Installing and deploying an Ethernet network is a relatively difficult and time-consuming process. |
| Encryption | WiFi data is encrypted during transfer. | Data is not required to be encrypted during transfer in Ethernet. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, wiFi creates a wireless network that enables radio waves to be transmitted between computers and other devices that have the necessary wireless capacity. Ethernet, on the other hand, is a wired LAN network standard.