Whether wired or not: the Internet has become an integral part of our lives. Even if a lot of wireless surfing is done nowadays, a connection via LAN can be worthwhile in some cases. We are happy to summarize where the differences are and what you should pay attention to.
LAN or WLAN: What are the differences?
The most obvious difference between a wired and wireless Internet connection is the cable. LAN connections rely on an Ethernet cable, while with WLAN the data is transmitted wirelessly over the air. In addition to the cable itself, there are other differences. LAN connections are generally considered to be more stable and drop less frequently. However, the range can be limited - it is just as big as the cable is long. With WLAN, on the other hand, there is also a range. This depends on the hardware used and of course on how far away you are from the Router located away.
Which is better, LAN or WLAN?
In principle, it is impossible to say what the better type of connection is - it always depends on the individual use. If you move from one room to another with your notebook, then of course a wireless connection to the Internet is a good idea, just like with the Smartphone, which you did not connect to the router via cable. With LAN it seems that in many cases the speed is higher than with a wireless connection.
The data does not have to find the notebook in the apartment first, but knows exactly that it is at the other end of the cable. So if you're having trouble with slow-loading websites and videos, a direct connection to the router can be worth its weight in gold. Last but not least, safety is an aspect that should not be underestimated. In general, a pure LAN network in which all devices are connected by cable is more secure from attacks. The situation is different with WLAN, since the range in many cases extends beyond your own four walls.
This is another reason why WLAN connections should always be encrypted using the WPA2 standard. In addition, a wireless network emits electromagnetic radiation. Our tip: Broadband expert Konstantin Matern describes the various technologies and Types of Internet connections on dslregional.de, it's worth stopping by there if you want to know more about the topic.
How can the range of WiFi be increased?
LAN offers some advantages, but WLAN is simply more practical in many cases - if there weren't the problem with speed and range. The further away you are from the router, the slower the internet becomes. In principle, this cannot be avoided, but there are a few tricks to at least increase the range a little. The location of the router is important.
Of course, it should be located where the Internet is used most of the time. In addition, the router should not be hidden behind furniture or other objects, but should be able to transmit as freely as possible. Also make sure that there are no other electronic devices in the immediate vicinity. This can negatively affect the performance of the wireless network.
How can I get faster WiFi?
If the correct location for the router has been found, but the WLAN is still slow, changing the radio range and radio channel can help. This step is particularly helpful when there are many parties in the house and it is teeming with WiFi. There are wireless networks in the 2,4 and 5 GHz ranges. In general, 2,4 GHz networks have a longer range, while 5 GHz networks allow for faster connections.
It should be noted here, however, that some older devices do not support 5 GHz. A change to 5 GHz is also a good idea if almost all other networks in the house are based on 2,4 GHz and are more or less overlapping. In addition, you should use a different radio channel than your neighbors, if your router is not already using the least busy channel.
