Simulation-Based Performance Comparison of Wired and Wireless Networks for Office Use

Abstract

The increasing importance of digital connectivity and data-driven processes has made selecting the right network infrastructure in office settings crucial. As organizations expand and adopt more devices and services, managing network performance and reliability becomes increasingly complex. This study aims to address key concerns businesses face when deciding on the most suitable network setup for office use. The study analyzes and compares wired and wireless NetSim simulations with 25 users, single-floor office layout, measuring key performance metrics such as latency, throughput, and jitter under similar simulated conditions. The study consists of three main processes: project planning and requirements analysis, network design, and simulation preparation. The results show that wired networks consistently outperform wireless networks in terms of throughput, latency, and jitter. While wireless throughput was slightly higher under light load, wired networks achieved up to 3.4 times higher throughput under heavy traffic, with latency 78 - 115 times lower and jitter up to 224 times lower. Besides, the findings demonstrate that wired networks provide superior reliability and performance, particularly under high-load conditions, making them more suitable for performance-critical office environments.