• Use either copper network or fibre-optic cables to physically connect the devices.
• Often found in office networks where the devices tend to be in fixed positions and do not move around. 

• Individual copper wires that are arranged as twisted pairs.
• The twisted pair reduces interference from other signals, improving transmission.
• Different categories of cable have different transmission rates and ranges.
• Most computers have built-in ethernet ports and ethernet cable is inexpensive, so for offices wired networks are relatively cheap and reliable to implement.

• Made of many thin glass strands (fibres), which transmit data as pulses of light.
• They do not suffer from electical interference.
• Very high bandwidth, up to 100 terrabits/second.
• Capable of transmission distances of 100 km.
• Used to connect wide area networks (WAN).
• More expensive than copper cable.

• Use radio waves to connect devices, usually WiFi and/or Bluetooth.
• The strength of the signal decreases with distance from the source.
• This makes them suitable for networks covering a small area.
• Ideal for mobile devices: smart phone, headphone, laptop.

• The speed of data transmission is fairly quick.
• The connections are stable and reliable.
• It is easier to maintain security as all data packets pass through a single point.
• Relatively hard to hack from outside the network.

• Cheap to set up, do not require cables.
• Easy to set up, most devices connect automatically.
• Users can connect and move around as long as they are in range.
• Additional devices can quickly and easily be added to the network.

Wireless

Wired

• Computers can only be used in fixed locations.
• Can be costly to install due to the specialist hardware required.
• Specialists may be needed to maintain the network.

• The transmission speed is slower.
• The transmission range is limited by walls and other obstacles.
• Can be less stable, the connection may 'drop out'.
• Less secure, data packets can be intercepted during transmission.

Wireless

Wired