Connecting computers and other network devices through a Wi-Fi network is often an easy alternative to a wired Ethernet system. A single access point is often enough for sending and receiving data to and from computers in many rooms.
A Wi-Fi network can provide Internet access and LAN services, but it has several disadvantages when compared with a wired network:
Wi-Fi networks are usually slower than wired Ethernet unless all the nodes in the network are compatible with the latest 802.11n standards.
Wi-Fi networks are less secure than wired networks. Unless you protect your network with a secure encryption method such as WPA, a dedicated intruder can connect to the Internet through your network without your permission and can also steal information from the other computers on the same network.
Interference between your Wi-Fi network and your neighbors' networks and other wireless devices can reduce your network's data transfer speed.
In spite of those limitations, a Wi-Fi network is often an acceptable choice if you don't want to cut holes through your walls or spend time crawling through your attic or basement. And even if you install a wired network through part of your building, Wi-Fi could be the best way to reach one or two isolated locations such as a top-floor bedroom or a detached garage.
For many families and small businesses, the best approach is to install both wired and wireless in the same network. This will allow you and your users to connect your desktop computers, printer, music server, and other devices that never physically move through wired Ethernet, and use Wi-Fi for laptop computers, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephones, smartphones, and other portable devices.
If you decide to include one or more Wi-Fi access points in your network, mark their tentative locations on your floor plan. In most cases, a single access point can exchange data with computers and other devices within about 300 feet (100 meters), so the exact location is not critical. The best location is often either in the network control center, or on the floor or a table next to a computer in a fixed location. For detailed information about installing Wi-Fi access points and connecting Wi-Fi devices to your home or office network, see Chapter 8.
With your network floor plan more or less complete, you're ready to install the control center and string Ethernet cables to each room. The next chapter will tell you how to do that job.