Wired and Wireless Technology: Differences, Security and Standards

This report provides a comparative analysis of wired and wireless technologies, highlighting their key differences in terms of data transmission, range, and configuration. It explores the security aspects of both, emphasizing the vulnerabilities of wireless technology and the measures taken to mitigate them. The report delves into the 802.11 standards, detailing the various protocols like Service Set Identifier (SSID), Access Control List (ACL), and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) used to secure wireless communications against threats such as eavesdropping and unauthorized access. The report also examines the different 802.11 standards (a, b, g, ac, and n), their maximum data rates, and the frequencies at which they operate, offering a comprehensive overview of wireless technology and its evolution.

Distinct differences between wired and wireless technology
Although wired and wireless technology aims at offering communication and data
transmission between entities, there several differences between the two. Wireless technology
is a technology that allows communication or data transfer between persons or entities
without the use of wires or cables1. It is inclusive of infrared and radio frequency and entities
such as communication devices communicate from different by connecting to a network such
as a LAN or a WAN or the internet. Some software such as Bluetooth supports this
technology. Wired technology, on the other hand, is a cable-based technology, that is entities
are connected by cables or wires. Examples of wired technology are telephone networks and
fiber-optic networking.
Another distinct difference is that wired technology operates in a narrow range whereby it is
mainly implemented in local area networks that use Ethernet cables to interconnect all
network devices in the network2. Wireless technology operates in a wide range where it
covers a wide geographical area and mainly implemented in wide area networks and the
internet. Wired technology configuration is more difficult compared to wireless technology
and the latter is designed to reduce the obstacles caused by cabling in wired technology and
thus reducing transmission time. Lastly, interference in wired communication is high in
wireless technology compared to wired technology. This is because the wired network is not
visible to other networks while wireless networks can experience radio interference caused by
weather or other wireless devices
Wireless technology security
Wireless technology is less secure compared to wired technology. This is because wireless
technology transmits communication signals through thus radio waves can easily be
intercepted unlike in wired technology where the transmission occurs via cables and
unauthorized access is denied by the use of firewalls.
Speed and security as addressed in 802.11 standards
802.11 standards focus on wireless communication and are used to secure wireless
technology or networks from another network from attacks such as eavesdropping or denial
of service attack. 802.11 standards are inclusive of several security features to secure wireless
1 Thoma et al., Wireless communication,102-178
2 Lisa, : Technology and subjectivity in contemporary narrative,45

communications. One of the protocols is the Service Set Identifier which controls access to a
wireless access point such as a router. Access Control List (ACL) is another protocol that
prevents unauthorized access to the network via the access point to secure the network under
its protection3. The third protocol uses the Wired Equivalent Protocol (WEP). This protocol
secures wireless communication against eavesdropping by the use of encryption mechanisms
and also protects the wireless network against unauthorized access by utilizing authentication.
802.11 standards operate at different speeds and frequencies.
 802.11a
The maximum data rate for 802.11a is 54Mbit/s and it operates at a frequency of 5 GHz.
 802.11b
The maximum data rate for 802.11b is at 11Mbit/s and it operates at a frequency of 2.4GHz.
 802.11g
The maximum data rate in 802.11b is at 54Mbit/s such as the 802.11a extension. It operates
on a 2.4GHz frequency, just like the 802.11b extension.
 802.11ac
The maximum data rate for 802.11ac is at 3.46Gbit/s since it uses multiple input and output
utilizing multiple antennas. It operates on 5GHz frequency.
 802.11n
The maximum data rate in 802.11b is at 600Mbit/s and allows operation on two frequencies,
2.4GHz and %GHz.
3 Reuman., "Moveable access control list (ACL) mechanisms for hypervisors and virtual
machines and virtual port firewalls,209

Bibliography
Deck, Thomas, Jürgen Skowaisa, Holger Sack, and Robert Laun. "Wireless communication."
U.S. Patent 8,102,278, issued January 24, 2012.
Reumann, John, Debanjan Saha, Sambit Sahu, and Dinesh Chandra Verma. "Moveable
access control list (ACL) mechanisms for hypervisors and virtual machines and virtual port
firewalls." U.S. Patent 8,381,209, issued February 19, 2013.
Yaszek, Lisa. The self wired: Technology and subjectivity in contemporary narrative.
Routledge, 2013.