Ethernet vs 4G network, should we upgrade?…?
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009Whats the diff between Ethernet and a 4G network? Is Ethernet old or something? Should we upgrade is it better? Nortel vs. Cisco thoughts?
4g networking is still in development. 3g networking is available now.
Simplified breakdowns:
If you travel all over the country on a weekly basis, ask your employer to get 3G for you. It will allow you to use your laptop any place that a cell phone works. It’s expensive. $200-$300 per month on average. It costs more, the more you utilize it. It is not a flat rate service like your Cable or DSL Internet service at home.
Ethernet is just fine. It works. Most Ethernet is faster than most wireless. My wireless LAN is operating at 300Mb/s. Which is faster than 10/100 Ethernet. Yes actual throughput of my wireless beats 10/100 Ethernet. My wired LAN is operating at 1000 Mb/s. My Ethernet is faster than my wireless. All Ethernet is more secure than ANY wireless.
If you want to be able to carry your laptop around the house without wires, you should get a wireless router. You may or may not need a wireless adapter for the laptop. Most newer laptops have a wireless adapter built-in.
If you have an existing wireless router and it works for you, there is no reason to get a new one.
If you are buying a wireless router for the first time, get an 802.11 draft 2.0 N type wireless router. I suggest D-Link DiR-655. It outperforms ANY 802.11 g type I have tested it against. Including the models that TracyL typically suggests.
Buy the same brand of wireless adapter as the router. If you buy a Linksys router, buy Linksys adapters, and so on.
Nortel and Cisco both manufacture and brand some very well made hardware. For home use Cisco and Nortel are overkill. For small office they are too. For a mid to large business they are worthwhile.