Wired Communications
This is a broad term that is used to describe any type of communication process that relies on the direct use of cables and wiring to transmit or transfer audio, video and data. A classic example of wired communications is the traditional home telephone that is connected to the local telephone switch via wires that are ran from the home.
The use of wired services remains common and is not likely to disappear in the near future. Local telephone networks often form the basis for wired communications that are used by both residential and business customers in the area.
Most of the networks today rely on the use of fiber-optic communication technology as a means of providing clear signaling for both inbound and outbound transmissions. Fiber optics are capable of accommodating far more signals than copper wiring while still maintaining the integrity of the signal over longer distances.
Employee workstation Internet/server access is a common example of modern wired communications. In fact, PSTN service providers often utilize the same wiring to provide both high speed Internet solutions and basic telephone services to residential and business customers.
Depending on the nature of the connection, this may require installing cabling that have a higher capacity than legacy telephone wiring. Some system designs need nothing more than the addition of filtering devices that effectively split the signal to allow a single outlet to provide connectivity to both the voice network and the Internet.
Cable television is also classified as wired communications. Cable is run into each home and connected to one or more television sets. The same coax cable allows both video and data transmissions to be received.
In general, wired communications are considered to be the most stable of all types of communications services. They are relatively impervious to adverse weather conditions when compared to wireless solutions.
With many wired services, the strength and speed of the transmission is superior to wireless deployments, such as satellite or microwave transmissions. Such characteristics have allowed wired communications to remain popular, even as wireless solutions have continued to advance.
Nevertheless, wired communication suffers from micro bending, macro-bending and attenuation. Additionally, no communication is earthquake resistant. Wired communications mean Ethernet cables must be run from each network point to a central device.
Cable installation is expensive and time-consuming, as it is difficult to run cables under the floor or through walls, especially when stationary network devices are not located in one area. In some new home builds, homeowners are installing the latest Category X cable right up front to make the cabling process easier and to hide cable runs.
Wireless Communications
Having wires installed throughout a building can be impractical. For example, if a business increases its workforce, new employees will need physical connections at their desk. Connections that will need to be installed. Breakages in the wired connection will have to be fixed by a cable technician as there is no software solution to a broken Ethernet pin.
With the explosion in mobile devices over the last few years many employees are bringing their own wireless devices into the office. It is mission critical these employees have access to the corporate network to ensure high productivity, which means giving them wireless access.
Wireless infrastructure brings freedom to move around the office, from desk to desk or meeting room to meeting room. A wireless network is also neater, doing away with unsightly cables.
However, while enabling employees to use their own devices at work wirelessly has obvious productivity benefits, it also causes huge headaches for the IT department from a security point of view. The threat of malware getting onto the corporate network through a compromised user device is one particular issue.
If the mobile device or tablet is owned by the business, security is obviously easier to take care of – but employee-owned devices are another question, as most are not protected.
Prior to allowing employees to connect their personal devices to the wireless network, it is important for a business to ensure that they are aware of the risks. Updating security policies to reflect changing ownership is one good step, but educating employees through initiatives such as workshops is critical.
There are other threats to a wireless enterprise. The wireless network will now extend beyond the physical walls of the office, giving attackers another potential route into the business. Sensitive corporate data now traverses the airwaves, and if the wireless network is not secured to the same extent as the wired infrastructure, it could very easily end up in the wrong hands.
This means elements such as authentication, intrusion detection, prevention, reporting and security must be an integral part of a wireless infrastructure. It is also worth pointing out more simple measures – such as changing the default SSID and password to a more secure one – can be very effective.
Beyond the security implications there are other drawbacks to wireless connections. Speeds are much slower than with a wired connection and the signals can be affected by outside influences, such as walls and floors, as well as other electronic items.
Another issue is the range offered by wireless access points. Not only can these be limited in terms of how far the signal travels but the signal fades the further away the device is from the AP. To ensure full, reliable coverage across a building, a business must install sufficient access points, driving up the cost of the installation.
The best solution is to use wired and wireless infrastructure strategically. Rule of thumb is the wired infrastructure should form the backbone or core of the network. Allowing wireless connectivity to serve user access and situations where wired cabling is impractical.
