Did you know that 31% of Americans are online constantly? That means they are probably pretty reliant on having Wifi at their fingertips. Or maybe they are reliant on LAN.
But what really is LAN vs Wifi? What is the difference between the two?
In this LAN and Wifi guide, we’ll walk you through the differences between the two.
What Is Wifi?
Wifi stands for wireless fidelity. Even though you’ve probably known what Wifi is, you probably didn’t know that!
Wifi is something that you can connect to in proximity. So in your home office, you probably have Wifi. Or you have Wifi in your office building or when you visit a coffee shop.
You can connect to these networks while you are there, but when you leave, you will also be disconnected from the Wifi network.
So, how does Wifi work? This is the technology it uses:
- Single Carrier Direct Sequence Spread
- Multi-carrier Orthogonal Frequency Division
Both are types of radio technology.
By using this technology, Wifi is something that you can connect to through the air. You don’t need to plug into anything while using it. This read discusses more reasons to use Wifi.
Because Wifi is standard, it is something that is in multiple countries and works the same way across borders. There is no need to figure anything out in different areas, as it always works in the same way – through the same technology.
What Is LAN?
LAN, on the other hand, is a data communication network limited to a certain area. It stands for local area network, which is exactly what it does!
Typically, LAN is owned by the organization that is using it. For instance, a company may own a LAN because it can increase the speed at which things are done when connected.
So how does LAN work? There are three different ways:
- Ring – A loop-like structure is formed by computers that communicate messages between them
- Bus – All devices link together with a single cable
- Star – All devices are connected to a central piece of hardware known as a hub
With these different connections, it allows for more data communication and transfers within the local area network.
So why would you choose to use a LAN network over Wifi?
- Hardware, files, and software are easily shared between computers
- Flexibility and security
- Allows for centralized backups
Many companies choose to use LAN because of the benefits that it provides to users and the company itself.
Just be aware that if you choose the bus LAN, you will need a cable for connections.
LAN vs Wifi
So which is better when it comes to LAN vs Wifi?
Realistically, the choice is yours! They both work to do something similar, it is more so based on the area you are using and if you have a company that prefers to have a more secure local network going for them.
If you want to know more about this topic or similar topics, read more on our blog!