Does a wireless network switch exist? Let's find out.

Have you ever thought about a wireless network switch? Advances in networking technology in recent years have led many to ponder the possibility of going beyond the traditional switch-and-router approach to connecting networks.

In this article, you'll learn what a wireless network switch is (if such a thing exists) and how it's supposed to work.

What is a wireless network switch?

Applying the common knowledge of a network switch, a wireless network switch can be considered a device that connects various IT devices (such as servers, routers, other controllers, printers, and PCs) within a single Local Area Network (LAN), without the need for physical input/output ports or RJ45 cables.

This technology differs from conventional network switches in that it leverages wireless networks to perform the same functions as an ordinary network switch. Unlike traditional network switches, they have no limit on the number of ports they can connect.

As such, it has many advantages over its traditional counterpart, making it both reliable and cost-effective in an enterprise setting. By using each device's MAC address, information and resource sharing is seamless.

Why no wireless switch?

Despite all the technological advancements and sophistication of our times, there is currently no such thing as a wireless light switch. There are several reasons why this technology is still in development. Let's explore some of these reasons:

• Network switches perform a myriad of functions, and cramming all of these (minus the conventional fiber cables and input/output ports) into a virtual overlay would require extensive research, resources, and technology.
• Wireless network switches would have to surpass fiber speeds to be truly significant, as fiber remains one of the best connectivity options. Some network switches use fiber connections to send data packets from one device to another within the same network.
• The proliferation of wireless network switches might render other dependent technologies obsolete. Different types of networks (Ethernet, RapidIO, ITU-T G.hn, 802.11, ATM, Fiber Channel) would no longer be able to connect within the same network.
• Security breaches could increase with all devices connected to the same network. An intrusion into any one device could potentially compromise the entire system.
• Other operational advantages of conventional network switches, such as Network Intrusion Detection, firewalls, and performance analysis modules, might be suspended or added later as part of a technological update.

Last Words

In short, while the wireless-network switch may be an illusion, it is worth pondering what the future of such technology might look like. This essay has sought to bridge the gap in understanding between traditional networking and the wireless-network switch. You now have a clear picture of what such a device would do, and why it does not yet exist.