When you need to connect a device to your modem to surf the Internet, the most used method currently is without a doubt the WiFi connection, given the convenience of being able to connect simply by going into the field of action of the network and typing a password (or using the key WPS on compatible modems). However, there is an alternative method used by many that allows you to connect a device to the internet using an Ethernet network cable that can be connected to the modem directly or even to a special plug to be put on the electrical outlet called Powerline.
As seen in a comparison between ethernet cable connection and wifi network, if you want a stable connection, the cable is always preferred, unless you use the new faster wireless technologies (5 GHz band and 802.11ac protocol), which are at the levels of the Ethernet cable, but which have the defect of having a short signal.
Basically, those who have to connect a fixed PC, a Smart TV or a console located in a distant point of the house where the WiFi does not take well or is too slow, instead of increasing the reception of the wifi with a repeater, you can have an internet connection on the electrical outlets with the Powerline.
Here you will find all the information you need to choose between Powerline or WiFi, so that you know in advance how to connect your device to your home modem.
READ ALSO: How the Powerline works, secrets and limits
Powerline
Powerline technology uses the home's electrical network to pass the data of the connection to the network, so as to make it available in every corner of the house.
Below I show you the advantages of the Powerline :
- No password request: you can access Powerline technology without having to remember the network password or use the WPS key to access.
- Accessible on any socket: two free electrical sockets are enough to establish a Powerline connection, one at the input (near the modem) and one at the output (near the device to be connected).
This allows you to overcome the limits imposed by Ethernet cables, bringing cable connectivity to every room.
- Scalable: you can connect other Powerline adapters to the network you have already created with the two adapters supplied with the basic pack. So you can use an input Powerline adapter (near the modem) and 2 or more Poweline adapters where they are needed.
- No interference with nearby networks : if with WiFi you have to pay attention to nearby networks to avoid interference, with Powerline you won't have these problems.
- Safe : all Powerline connections are encrypted when they travel in the electrical circuit, so as to avoid possible attacks by attackers.
Now instead I will show you the disadvantages of Powerline technology :
- Quality of the electrical system : if the electrical system of your home is old, you may run into drops in speed that make it impossible to use the Powerine.
- Cost per unit : if you have to create a large network with Powerline, the cost is decidedly high.
- Speed: there are many factors that influence this parameter (including the quality of the system and the distance from the sockets), but in general the speeds are lower than those obtainable with the new generation WiFi.
- Exclusive socket use : excluding models that integrate the power socket (passthrough), if you use the Powerline adapters you lose the electrical outlets in which you place them.
So by reading the advantages and disadvantages you can come to the conclusion that Powerline is a good way to connect devices in different rooms and not optimally reached by the wireless network, but some problems could make the experience with this technology unpleasant or completely frustrating, especially if the electrical system is not suitable for Powerline's exploitation.
Wifi
WiFi has in fact changed everyone's lives, bringing Internet connectivity to a new level on which everyone now depends.
The advantages of WiFi technology are numerous and summarized below:
- Without borders : the WiFi easily passes the walls of the house, often managing to cover areas outside the home such as gardens or terraces.
- Compatibility with mobile devices : the success of smartphones and tablets has also been decreed by compatibility with any type of WiFi network, so that they can be used freely.
- Scalability: a single WiFi access point can connect hundreds of different devices.
- Controlled access: just know a password or press a button (WPS) to connect the new devices.
- Fast : the latest technologies (5 GHz and 802.11ac) allow to reach transmission speeds higher than those obtainable with an Ethernet cable with Gigabit (i.e. 1000 Megabit / s).
- Customizable : you can decide the name of the network and the access password, as well as change the frequency, channel and technology used for the connections.
You can also turn off WiFi at set times (on some high-end modems) and reduce the size of the network to avoid providing access to neighbors or on the street.
In addition to the advantages, there are also some disadvantages, summarized below:
- Interference : one of the enemies of WiFi! Wireless networks created by neighbors often interfere with your network, causing loss of speed, a network with less coverage and in the worst cases complete loss of signal.
In addition to the neighbors' WiFi networks, you can also find interference with other electronic devices that use electromagnetic waves such as cordless telephones, microwaves, alarm systems and more.
So always choose carefully the WiFi channel to use and if possible switch to 5 GHz technology, which suffers from minor interference problems.
- Field of action: using the 2.4 GHz frequency you will get good coverage that can often cover the whole house, but if you use the 5 GHz frequency (the faster one) often a wall is enough to halve or cancel completely the scope of the network.
Therefore, if you intend to connect distant devices, you can effectively use only the 2.4 GHz network, giving up speed.
- Security : currently the safest protocol to avoid connecting unauthorized devices is WPA2 with AES encryption, possibly with a password chosen personally (avoid the default passwords).
Excluding this configuration, all other security systems to protect WiFi connections are vulnerable and can be "hacked" by a good attacker.
So avoid using WEP and WPA with weak encryptions (not AES), in addition I recommend you also disable the WPS technology that is often used by apps to find the default network passwords in modems available nearby.
By reading the advantages and disadvantages of WiFi you can come to the conclusion that it is certainly the best method to connect to the Internet nowadays, but that some things you have to check them personally (WiFi channel, security, frequency) to avoid connection problems or malicious people who they use your connection without paying any subscription, also putting you in front of the responsibilities of the events done with your network (if the attackers recover the password of your network they can use it for illicit purposes, which will be notified to you!).
Adopt the two technologies: buying guide
Do you intend to use Powerline technology for your home "> TP-link TL-PA7010 (44 €)
These new adapters will allow you to quickly connect a device away from a modem using AV1000 technology, which can guarantee up to 1 Gigabit of connection on the electrical network.
It does not require any type of configuration: just connect the Ethernet cables to the respective ports and connect the adapters to two free home sockets.
A more expensive type of Powelrline is that of 100 Euro NetGear, which also works with wifi, in the sense that it brings out an access point for the wireless connection from the electrical socket.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a new modem / router to make the most of WiFi technologies (including the 5 GHz frequency and 802.11ac technology), I recommend you take a look at this model -> AVM FRITZ! Box 3490 (€ 149)
The FRITZ! Boxes are among the best modems available on the market, you can forget about the interferences and problems that re-emerge with all the other models!
This model supports Fiber connectivity (over VDSL), operates on both WiFi frequencies (2.4 and 5 GHz) and offers an overall connection speed of 1750 Mbps (450 + 1300 Mbit / s).
If the device is compatible with dual band, you can connect to both networks at the same time to travel at high speeds over a wireless network!
Wanting to save money, I refer to the list of the best WiFi Routers to buy
You have a desktop PC or laptop that does not support 5 GHz WiFi technology "> add a Wifi network card to your PC by purchasing an adapter like this -> ANEWISH USB WiFi Antenna Adapter (€ 11)
Compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, it offers a maximum speed of 433Mbps (on 5 GHz) and 150Mbps (on 2.4 GHz), which can also be used simultaneously if the router is compatible.
