We are dealing here with Private Networks only.
Connecting devices with wires is mostly done with CAT5 and CAT5e cable. CAT6 cable is mostly used in the business environment where the higher network speeds that it supports are needed and supported by all the different devices connected to each other.
Today there is a trend to use the electrical wiring in the building as a network. Special devices, called powerline connectors are needed to make this to work.
CAT5/CAT5e/CAT6
Advantages:
- Reliable.
- Troubleshooting is easier.
- Interference with other technologies such as telephone, fax, microwaves, multimedia devices is most of the time not an issue.
- Security: more secure than wireless because the network and the devices are not a easily accessible.
- Faster speed than wireless.
Disadvantages:
- Cluttering of wires.
- Wire are visible.
- Hard to install in an existing building.
- Access limited to physical connecting points.
Power Line Network
Advantages:
- Not need for adding wiring.
- Can be used to extend to wired and/or wireless add-on elsewhere in the building.
Disadvanges:
- Electrical line noise interference with network signal.
- Transition of network signal to the different phases in the building.