← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Wired vs wireless: cost and installation

Wired networks need cables, ports and installation work, while wireless needs less cabling but may need more access points to cover a large area.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 27, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 90

Understanding Wired vs wireless: cost and installation in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: The formula shows the parts a wired network needs: cables, ports and the work of installing them. Fibre needs special cable and skilled installation, so it costs more to install than Ethernet cable. Wireless needs far less cabling, so there is less drilling and installation work. Each wired device needs a cable and a port on a switch or router, and these add to the cost. Wireless signals weaken with distance, so large areas often need several access points. This adds to the cost.

Common mistakes: The total cable cost is the number of cables multiplied by the price of each one, so the line should be total ← cables * price_each. Adding gives the wrong cost. A wired network needs one switch port for every computer, so ports_needed should be set to computers, not 1.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 54–68) and word search (Modules 13–68).

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Learning
Duo
Which network usually needs lots of cables run through walls and ceilings?
Wireless networkWired network
Matches
wireless = no cost to install
↓
Wireless still costs money. It needs access points, and a large area may need several of them.
Applying
Meanings
Term
cost and installation
Meaning
Wired networks need cables, ports and installation work, while wireless needs less cabling but may need more access points to cover a large area.
Practice
wiredCost ← cables + ports + labour
Testing
Gaps
cableCost = metres pricePerMetre
Check Answer
Spots
2price_each ← 5
3total ← cables + price_each

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Quick Questions

1. Which network usually needs lots of cables run through walls and ceilings?
A. Wireless network
B. Wired network ✓
Wired networks need a cable to every device, so installing them can take a lot of work and time.
2. A school wants to avoid drilling holes and running cables in an old building. Which option suits this best?
A. Wired network
B. Wireless network ✓
Wireless needs far less cabling, so there is less drilling and installation work.
3. Which statement about cost is correct?
A. Wired networks need extra costs for cables and switch ports ✓
B. Wired networks need no equipment other than the devices
Each wired device needs a cable and a port on a switch or router, and these add to the cost.
4. Fibre optic cable can be expensive to install. Why?
A. It needs special cable and trained people to fit it ✓
B. It can only be installed by wireless access points
Fibre cable and its fitting equipment cost more than normal cable, and specialists are often needed to install it.
5. A wireless network covers a very large area, like a school campus. What might be needed?
A. More wireless access points to cover the whole area ✓
B. No extra equipment, as one signal always reaches everywhere
Wireless signals weaken with distance, so large areas often need several access points. This adds to the cost.

Match the Pairs

cost of cable → A wired network needs a cable for every device, and long runs or many devices add to the price.
access points for coverage → A wireless network may need extra access points so the signal reaches every part of a large area.
Wired networks need cables, ports and installation work, so a large wired setup can cost more to install. → wired = cables + ports + installation
Fibre optic cable can carry data very fast, but it costs more to install than ordinary cable. → fibre installation cost > Ethernet cost
wireless = no cost to install → Wireless still costs money. It needs access points, and a large area may need several of them.
wired = no cables, only access points → This describes wireless. A wired network needs cables and ports to connect each device.

Key Term

cost and installation
Wired networks need cables, ports and installation work, while wireless needs less cabling but may need more access points to cover a large area.

Fill in the Blanks

1. cableCost = metres * pricePerMetre
Hint: Type the arithmetic operator that multiplies the metres of cable by the price of each metre.
2. accessPoints = floorArea / apCoverage
Hint: Type the arithmetic operator that divides the floor area by the area one access point covers.
3. IF devices > ports THEN addSwitch
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks if there are more devices than wired ports.
4. total = fibreCost + installCost
Hint: Type the arithmetic operator that adds the installation cost to the fibre cable cost.
5. IF floorArea > 200 THEN moreAPs = TRUE
Hint: Type the keyword that links the condition about a large area to the action that follows.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A cables ← 10
B price_each ← 5
C total ← cables + price_each
D OUTPUT total
Line C — The total cable cost is the number of cables multiplied by the price of each one, so the line should be total ← cables * price_each. Adding gives the wrong cost.
Question 2
A computers ← 8
B ports_needed ← 1
C switch_ports ← 8
D OUTPUT switch_ports >= ports_needed
Line B — A wired network needs one switch port for every computer, so ports_needed should be set to computers, not 1.
Question 3
A copper_cost ← 100
B fibre_cost ← copper_cost / 3
C IF fibre_cost > copper_cost
D OUTPUT "Fibre costs more"
Line B — Fibre cable and its installation cost more than copper, so the cost should be multiplied (copper_cost * 3). Dividing makes fibre look cheaper.
Question 4
A area ← 600
B ap_range ← 200
C aps_needed ← area * ap_range
D OUTPUT aps_needed
Line C — The number of access points is the area to cover divided by the area one access point covers. It should be area / ap_range, not multiplied.
Question 5
A wired ← 20
B wireless ← 2
C IF wireless < wired
D OUTPUT "More cables"
Line D — The condition checks that wireless uses fewer cables than wired, so the output should say "Fewer cables". Wireless needs less cabling.

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