A computer can be connected to your home network and internet service using either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Many home routers allow you to connect using either method. Ethernet can provide quicker speeds, less interference, and occasionally better security because it uses actual wires. A Wi-Fi connection is fast and secure enough for many uses, and it employs airborne signals to make it easier to move and connect devices around your home. Tablets are one example of a modern device that only supports Wi-Fi and not Ethernet. You probably have a lot of questions; the good news is that we have you covered!
Ethernet is a conventional method of joining devices in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Using a protocol, which is a set of guidelines or common network language, allows devices to communicate with one another. A WAN is a network of networks, with internet being the largest, whereas a LAN is a network that connects two or more devices in a single physical location. Many modern routers have five cable ports on their backs, one of which is the WAN or internet port, along with four LAN or Ethernet ports.
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that enables printers and cameras to connect to the internet as well as computers (laptops and desktops), mobile devices (smartphones, wearables, etc.), and other devices. It establishes a network by enabling information transmission between these gadgets and the router.
The difference between the two is that Wi-Fi connects devices to the internet wirelessly, while Ethernet connects devices to the internet using a physical bridge. An Ethernet cable provides a concentrated path from the internet to the device, whereas connecting over Wi-Fi is not a closed circuit but instead is open, allowing for the signal to be lost or weakened.
For example, let’s imagine a hallway that has a door on each end, and it’s filled with balloons and a group of dogs playing in those balloons. Ethernet is the hallway with the first door open and letting more balloons in, yet everything is contained. The Wi-Fi is in the hallway with both doors open, and the second door is pushing some of those balloons out along with some of the dogs. The balloons can be symbolized as traffic being pushed into your devices from the internet, while the dogs can be symbolized as the speed in Mbps (megabits per second).
There are a multitude of reasons why you may not be seeing the same speeds. We’ll discuss a few of those reasons without getting too technical.
This is key: the network card must be compatible in all aspects. For example, 802.11ac and 802.ax routers typically have 1000BaseT network cards. Let’s say you are trying to connect your router to an older laptop, but when you run a speed test, you can only reach 92 Mbps while on 5G but reach 500 Mbps while hardwired with an Ethernet cable. This means the laptop has a 1000BaseT Ethernet network card and a 100BaseT Wi-Fi network card. But let’s say you can reach 500 Mbps on Ethernet and only 250 Mbps on 5G. This means both the Ethernet and Wi-Fi network cards are 1000BaseT. What does all this mean? While Ethernet will always be able to handle the max speeds offered, while Wi-Fi may fluctuate based on the factors mentioned above.
We hope this clarifies the difference between Ethernet and Wi-Fi and why you may experience different speeds depending on your internet connection. Greenlight Networks delivers speeds that are 100x faster than what most Americans receive today. A fiber-optic connection to the home brings benefits like zero buffering, super-fast downloads and uploads, the ability to stream over-the-top TV services, movies, and music on multiple devices at the same time, a superior online-gaming experience, and improved reliability and reduced susceptibility to inclement weather. Get moving at the speed of Greenlight!