3. Data units in Networks

3.6. Summary

Copper utilities

BENEFITS

FAILURES

Cheap to buy

Short distances between network nodes

Simple fault diagnosis and repair

Susceptible to electromagnetic interference

Hassle-free assembly and installation

Slower than fibre optics


Fibre optic media

BENEFITS

FAILURES

Definitely faster

Complicated assembly and installation

Virtually immune to electromagnetic interference

Definitely more expensive to buy because of the equipment needed

Transfers data over long distances

Signal blur


 Wireless media

Several solutions are used for wireless media, but only one of them, radio waves, is actually used. The well-known Wi-Fi technology uses this medium for data transmission.

Radio waves are electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range from 3 Hz to approximately 3 THz. Radio wave sources can be natural or man-made, such as those emitted by mobile radio stations. Their main purpose is to transmit information and, in the case of telecommunications, data. There are several types of radio waves, with long, medium, short and ultra-short waves being used for data transmission.

When discussing radio waves, it is worth mentioning the standards used in wireless networks. They are important in terms of choosing the right Wi-Fi router.

STANDARD

FREQUENCY

MAXIMUM THROUGHPUT

802.11a

5 GHz

54 Mbps

802.11b

2.4 GHz

11 Mbps

802.11g

2.4 GHz

54 Mbps

802.11n

2.4 GHz | 5 GHz

150 Mbps | 600 Mbps

802.11ac

5 GHz

Several Gbps