← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Wired vs wireless: mobility and convenience

Wireless devices like phones and tablets can move around and join a network easily, while wired devices like desktop computers are tied to a fixed cable connection point.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 28

Understanding Wired vs wireless: mobility and convenience in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: The tablet joins by name and password with no cable, which makes wireless convenient for new devices. A wired device can only join if there is a spare port and a cable that reaches, so it is less convenient to add. Phones and tablets on Wi-Fi can move around freely, within the range of the network. Wireless suits devices that move around, because there are no cables to plug in or unplug.

Common mistakes: Phones and tablets join a network wirelessly, so phone_link should be "wireless". A wired link would tie the phone to a cable, and the message that follows would then be wrong. A wired desktop computer needs a cable plugged into a fixed connection point, so it cannot roam anywhere. The message should say it is tied to a socket.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 69–124) and word search (Modules 69–152).

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Learning
Duo
Which device can be carried from the kitchen to the bedroom and stay connected to the home network?
A desktop computer plugged in with an Ethernet cableA tablet using Wi-Fi
Matches
desktop.moveToRoom() // still online with cable unplugged
↓
A wired desktop loses its connection when it leaves the cable. It is tied to a fixed connection point.
Applying
Meanings
Term
mobility
Meaning
Wireless devices like phones and tablets can move around and join a network easily, while wired devices like desktop computers are tied to a fixed cable connection point.
Practice
device ← "tablet"
Testing
Gaps
phone.connection ← ""
Check Answer
Spots
1phone_link = "wired"
2if phone_link == "wireless":

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Quick Questions

1. Which device can be carried from the kitchen to the bedroom and stay connected to the home network?
A. A tablet using Wi-Fi ✓
B. A desktop computer plugged in with an Ethernet cable
A wireless connection has no cable, so a tablet can move around while staying connected. A wired desktop is tied to its cable.
2. A wired desktop computer is connected to the network. What limits where it can be used?
A. It can only be used outside
B. The cable must reach a fixed connection point ✓
A wired device is tied to a fixed connection point, such as a network socket or a switch, by its cable.
3. Which statement about mobility is correct?
A. Wireless devices can move around while staying connected ✓
B. Wired devices can move anywhere in the house while staying connected
Mobility is a strength of wireless networks. A wired device can only move as far as its cable allows.
4. A friend visits and wants to get online with their phone. Which option is the quick and convenient one?
A. Run a new cable from the router to their phone
B. Join the Wi-Fi network with the password ✓
Adding a new wireless device is easy. It only needs to find the network and enter the password, with no cables or free ports needed.
5. Adding a new device to a wired network needs...
A. A cable and a free port to plug into ✓
B. Nothing, it joins by itself through the air
A wired device needs a physical cable and a free port on the router or switch. This makes adding new devices less convenient than with wireless.

Match the Pairs

connect(phone, wifi) → A phone joins the network wirelessly, so it can be carried around and still stay connected while in range.
plug(desktop, wall_port) → A desktop computer connects with a cable to a fixed point, so it stays close to that port.
Adding a new wireless device is easy: choose the network and enter the password. → join(tablet, 'HomeWiFi', password)
Adding a new wired device needs a free port and a cable. → if free_port: plug(cable, newPC)
desktop.moveToRoom() // still online with cable unplugged → A wired desktop loses its connection when it leaves the cable. It is tied to a fixed connection point.
tablet.join(network) // needs a cable and port → A tablet joins wirelessly, so it does not need a cable or a port.

Key Term

mobility
Wireless devices like phones and tablets can move around and join a network easily, while wired devices like desktop computers are tied to a fixed cable connection point.

Fill in the Blanks

1. phone.connection ← "wireless" phone.canMove ← true
Hint: Type the connection type a phone uses so it can move around and join a network easily.
2. desktop.connection ← "wired" desktop.canMove ← false
Hint: Type the property name that records whether the device can move freely.
3. IF device.canMove = false THEN device.connection ← "wired" ENDIF
Hint: Type the connection type for a device that is tied to a fixed cable connection point.
4. IF tablet.needsCable = false THEN OUTPUT "Join the Wi-Fi" ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that starts a decision, such as checking whether a new device needs a cable.
5. desktop.needsCable ← true OUTPUT "Plug into a port"
Hint: Type the true or false value showing that a new desktop needs a cable to join the network.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A phone_link = "wired"
B if phone_link == "wireless":
C print("Can move around")
Line A — Phones and tablets join a network wirelessly, so phone_link should be "wireless". A wired link would tie the phone to a cable, and the message that follows would then be wrong.
Question 2
A desktop_link = "wired"
B needs_cable = True
C print("Can roam anywhere")
Line C — A wired desktop computer needs a cable plugged into a fixed connection point, so it cannot roam anywhere. The message should say it is tied to a socket.
Question 3
A tablet = "wireless"
B needs_cable = True
C print("Join with Wi-Fi")
Line B — A wireless tablet does not need a cable to join a network. needs_cable should be False.
Question 4
A devices = ["phone", "tablet"]
B for d in devices
C print(d, "can move")
Line B — A for loop header must end with a colon. It should be: for d in devices:
Question 5
A new_device = "tablet"
B connection = "wireless"
C if connection == "wireless":
D print("Plug in a cable")
Line D — A new wireless device is added by choosing the Wi-Fi network and entering the password, not by plugging in a cable. It should print "Enter Wi-Fi password".

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