Wired And Wireless Networks 2026 Exams Aqa

• To connect devices to a network, there are two main options:

  • Wired

  • Wireless

• There are advantages and disadvantages to each option which are explored below

Wired & Wireless Networks

What is a wired network?

• A wired network is a network where physical cables are used to join devices together and transmit data

• Computers can be connected to networks using many different types of wires to transmit data

• The most common types of cables in a wired network are:

  • Ethernet

  • Fibre optic

  • Copper

What is Ethernet?

• Ethernet is a wired networking standard to carry electrical signals between devices on a local area network (LAN)

• Ethernet is common in most offices and homes to connect devices such a desktop computers & servers

• Ethernet uses twisted pair cables to allow duplex communication

What is fibre optic?

• Fibre optic is a type of cable that uses light to transmit data on a wide area network (WAN)

• Fibre transmits data at a much higher speed and has a much higher bandwidth compared to copper cables

• Fibre optic cable does not suffer from interference which makes them the most secure option to send sensitive data

• Fibre optic cables can cover a long distance without any degradation, they can span cities and countries

What is copper cable?

• Copper is a type of cable originally used in telecommunication to transmit voice signals, forming the traditional landline phone network

• The ability to use copper to deliver network traffic on a wide area network (WAN) made the internet possible

• Copper cables degrade over time which limits their range compared to fibre optic

• Copper cable suffers from interference which can disrupt data quality

• Copper transmits data at a much slower rate, and has a much lower bandwidth compared to fibre optic

Advantages & disadvantages of wired networks

What is a wireless network?

• A wireless network is a network where connections are made using radio waves to transmit data through the air

• The most common types of wireless connections are:

  • Wi-Fi

  • Bluetooth

  • Near-field Communication (NFC)

  • IrDA/Infrared

  • Zigbee

  • Wireless USB

  • Ultra-wideband (UWB)

What is Wi-Fi?

• Wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) is a common standard for wireless networks

• Wi-Fi is common in most homes and offices to connect devices such as laptops, tablets & smart phones

• Using Wi-Fi, devices communicate with a wireless access point (WAP), which can be a standalone device or built into a router or switch 

What is Bluetooth?

• Bluetooth is another common standard for wireless networks

• Bluetooth is common in most homes and offices to connect devices such as headphones, controllers, keyboards & mice

• Bluetooth is used typically for a direct connection between two devices 

Data privacy concerns in wireless networks

• When setting up a wireless network, organisations must consider how to protect sensitive data from unauthorised access.

• Common data privacy concerns include:

  • Spoofing / session hijacking – an attacker pretends to be an authorised user to gain access to the network

  • Eavesdropping – because wireless data is broadcast, it can be intercepted by a third party

  • Encrypting data – ensure data is not sent in plain text by enabling encryption on routers

  • Malware infiltration – Wi-Fi is more visible and therefore more exposed to malicious attacks

  • Malicious hotspots – unofficial access points can trick users into connecting, allowing attackers to steal data

Advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks