IDENTIFY AND COMPARE DIFFERENT LAN PROTOCOLS

Answer 1

There are several LAN protocols used in networking, but two of the most common and widely used are Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Ethernet:
- Ethernet is a wired LAN protocol that uses a physical medium such as twisted pair cables or fiber optic cables to connect devices within a local area network.
- It operates on the OSI model's Data Link Layer (Layer 2) and uses the CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) access method to manage network traffic.
- Ethernet speeds range from 10 Mbps (Ethernet) to 100 Gbps (Ethernet).

Wi-Fi:
- Wi-Fi, also known as IEEE 802.11, is a wireless LAN protocol that uses radio waves to connect devices within a local area network.
- It operates on the OSI model's Physical and Data Link Layers (Layer 1 and Layer 2) and uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) access method to manage network traffic.
- Wi-Fi speeds range from 11 Mbps (802.11b) to 10 Gbps (802.11ax).

Comparison:
- Ethernet is typically faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi, especially in scenarios where a high-speed, low-latency connection is needed.
- Wi-Fi offers greater flexibility and mobility compared to Ethernet, as it allows wireless devices to connect to the network without the need for physical cables.
- Wi-Fi is more susceptible to interference from other wireless devices and obstacles such as walls and distance, while Ethernet is generally more stable and secure.
- Ethernet is more commonly used in enterprise environments or for high-bandwidth applications, while Wi-Fi is more prevalent in home and small business networks.