Author Topic: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
the_great_intex 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
Which is better for massive, constant data exchange with numerous hosts? Even if a wifi router was capable of producing faster speeds than FO, is it still better? Are there things to look out for concerning bandwidth? Who can enlighten me further?

Say an 802.11ac (6.8Gb/s) vs a 1000BASE (1Gb/s) FO, who wins? Does the router or the cable in a situation where there's numerous high-definition content being streamed to 200+ devices simultaneously. Obvious the wifi is faster... but is it better for such a higher distribution?

 

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ZigmundZag 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
If you're talking straight data transfer, fiber channel no question. IF you're talking about cost and convenience, WiFi.

Things to watch out for: collisions. WiFi is noisy by nature and has to spend a lot of time sorting out the real signal from the echoes and the neighbor's signal. Each new device you add on to the LAN is going to increase those collisions and decrease your overall performance. The same is true of a fiber channel, but the only replies are coming from the machines downstream, not from every metallic surface in your home.

 

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Koneg 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
the_great_intex posted:
Which is better for massive, constant data exchange with numerous hosts?
That's a no-brainer. Fiber.

You're not limited to gigabit with fiber - you can go to multi-gigabit.

That said, the wireless option will be vastly cheaper.

 

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vn_nnanji 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
Ok, Lets talk networking.

/Straightens tie

"Hi! Nnanji, rush chairman. Damn glad to meet you!"

 

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Koneg 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi



http://www.xkcd.com/1032/

 

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the_great_intex 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
ZigmundZag posted:
If you're talking straight data transfer, fiber channel no question. IF you're talking about cost and convenience, WiFi.

Things to watch out for: collisions. WiFi is noisy by nature and has to spend a lot of time sorting out the real signal from the echoes and the neighbor's signal. Each new device you add on to the LAN is going to increase those collisions and decrease your overall performance. The same is true of a fiber channel, but the only replies are coming from the machines downstream, not from every metallic surface in your home.


I see, that makes sense. That is also what I was thinking. But bandwidth wise their performance is the same with numerous hosts connected?

Yup, I know I am not limited to a just a 1000BASE connection, that's not a problem. Speed isn't so much the concern but the overall performance is mine in the situation I am dealing with hundreds of hosts at one time with constant, heavy data streams. Interference would be a big one... so that does help make the case to use fiber vs wifi a lot. Latency wise, fiber is better? Or is wifi not bottle necked by slow processes?

 

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Koneg 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
the_great_intex posted:
But bandwidth wise their performance is the same with numerous hosts connected?
Strictly bandwidth basis? Hard to say. My instinct, especially with the number of hosts you're hinting at, is to say the fiber connection will outperform any wireless - but I have nothing empirical to back that up. It's just a gut check.

 

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the_great_intex 
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Subject: Outpost: Let's talk networking. Fiber cables vs wifi
I think you're right as well, that's my gut feeling as well

 

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