What is Ethernet and how does it improve your home network?

What is Ethernet?

Ethernet is a transmission technology that allows you to exchange data between devices within a closed network. With an Ethernet connection, you can supply connected end devices such as computers, printers, gaming consoles, and smart TVs with internet access – or feed the home server with important backups like photos and videos.

What does LAN mean?

LAN stands for "Local Area Network" – a local network where data transfers occur. Strictly speaking, there are various types of connections that fall under the LAN term, but the most common is the Ethernet standard. So when we talk about LAN cables, we are usually referring to traditional Ethernet cables.

We summarize (somewhat simplified): LAN cable is the same as Ethernet cable – at least in everyday home networking. But why would you want to install LAN cables in your house at all when you can easily use convenient WiFi?

LAN or WiFi? The Advantages of Ethernet in Home Networks

WiFi technology is convenient, wireless, practically invisible – and completely sufficient for many applications we encounter in our everyday home network. But not for all. Particularly data-intensive activities benefit massively from the use of LAN cables. Data transmission via Ethernet is indeed faster and more stable.

No wonder: Numerous WiFi devices are currently operating in a typical household, creating a chaotic data traffic situation. The LAN cable is like a freshly paved, downhill expressway that allows for a higher and more consistent data throughput.

Therefore, it is still worthwhile to rely on a smart mix of LAN and WiFi in your home network. This ensures that each of your devices receives the right amount of data at the right time.

Home applications that particularly benefit from Ethernet

(UHD-) Streaming

Streaming now dominates entertainment habits in our households. As image resolutions increase—from Full HD to 4K and now even 8K—the amount of data that needs to be transmitted grows as well.

For a stable, consistent streaming experience that doesn’t suddenly stutter at the most exciting moment, we therefore recommend using a LAN cable for resolutions of 4K and above.

(Online-) Gaming

In intense online multiplayer battles, every millisecond can determine victory or defeat. A LAN connection not only provides higher data rates but also reduces delays (latency).

By the way, since games are increasingly downloaded, installed, patched, and expanded with additional content over the internet, using Ethernet is also recommended for single-player gamers.

Home-Office

Whether you are working from home or your children are attending virtual classrooms, YouTube tutorial videos, large uploads and downloads, and especially simultaneous video conferences all benefit from a stable home network via LAN.

Wiring your home office and children’s rooms with Ethernet therefore enables highly productive work without annoying interruptions or other disruptions when working from home.

Home server (NAS)

So-called network-attached storage (NAS) devices are very convenient. And if you regularly store files on your personal home server, a LAN connection will also be to your advantage.

Ever backed up dozens of gigabytes—or even terabytes—of vacation videos and photos? A stable Ethernet connection ensures that your most valuable memories are always quickly saved to your backup.

Installing LAN Cables in Your Home – 5 Basic Tips

If you live in a house that has pre-installed LAN cables and Ethernet sockets in every room, you can easily connect your devices. If this is not the case, you can take matters into your own hands and retroactively install Ethernet in your home. However, this involves a certain amount of preparation and effort.

Therefore, you should carefully consider which devices you want to connect to the Ethernet and in which rooms they will be located. This way, you can limit your efforts – and the amount of cables you need to install for a LAN extension in your living space – to a manageable level. The following basic tips and information about technical tools will assist you in your planning.

Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets generally cannot be connected via Ethernet and usually work well with Wi-Fi. Laptops are a borderline case. Wi-Fi may suffice for many applications, but if you use the device for downloads, data transfers, video conferences, or even gaming, using Ethernet can definitely be worthwhile.

Using a LAN cable becomes truly recommended for large, stationary devices that serve one or more of the applications mentioned above. PCs, smart TVs, game consoles, home servers, and similar devices certainly have a LAN port and should use it to ensure uninterrupted entertainment, productivity, and data security.

The classic example is probably the living room. In most households, this is the entertainment hub, where streaming and gaming go on non-stop. And since the router is often located in the hallway or even directly in the living room, running an Ethernet cable to the smart TV, game console, and similar devices is comparatively straightforward.

It can be more challenging in the hobby room, bedroom, home office, or children’s room: depending on the layout of the house or apartment, you may need to run LAN cables across the entire living space—sometimes all the way to the basement or even the attic. This is more labor-intensive, but with some tools and a bit of DIY skill, it is definitely doable.

If you want to lay LAN cables as cleverly and space-savingly as possible, you can use various technical accessories. For example, LAN couplers allow you to connect two Ethernet cables together. This effectively lets you extend a LAN cable and increase its usable range.

Using LAN splitters or switches is also recommended. A Y-splitter divides the incoming cable into two outgoing cables, as its name suggests. Even more effective is a LAN switch, which allows four or more outputs from a single Ethernet input. This way, you can connect multiple devices to your home network without having to run a separate cable all the way to the router for each one.

When wiring your living area with LAN, pay attention to the correct cable standard. Today, network cables in categories CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 7, and CAT 8 are relevant. They differ in various properties, including overall transmission speed, effective distance, and shielding.

For home users, CAT 5 network cables are often sufficient. They support data rates of up to 1 Gbit/s and offer a decent range of 100 meters. CAT 6 cables can reach up to 10 Gbit/s, but they experience a significant performance drop as length increases and are limited to a range of about 50 meters.

CAT 7 and CAT 8 LAN cables are even better shielded and faster—CAT 8 can even achieve transmission speeds of up to 100 Gbit/s. However, these Ethernet cables are not recommended for beginners or home users, as they are disproportionately expensive, sometimes require special connectors and sockets, and are therefore more suited for businesses and specialists.

The easiest solution is probably a surface-mounted installation for retrofitting cables. Plan the route of your LAN cables carefully and efficiently: on one hand, you want to keep Ethernet cables running through the living area as short as possible, as this is cheaper and minimizes data transfer losses. On the other hand, LAN cables routed along baseboards and door frames are less conspicuous, but need to be longer.

So-called flat cables are visually less obtrusive but may have drawbacks in terms of shielding. Alternatively, you can hide routed Ethernet cables behind baseboards or in appropriately installed cable ducts. This requires extra effort but is definitely worthwhile from an aesthetic perspective.

If you are willing to spend the time and money (and are, for example, aiming for a long-term solution in your own home), you can, of course, go the flush-mounted route. This means drilling holes and routing Ethernet cables out of sight—the most visually appealing, but unfortunately also the most labor-intensive solution.

With patience, money, and some handy skills, you can equip your entire living area with LAN cables, distribute the LAN throughout the house, and enjoy ideal internet on any desired device. However, you can also make it easier for yourself by simply using the wiring that is already installed in the walls of your house.

The simple alternative:

LAN over the power socket – with Powerline

The magic word is: Powerline – to be precise, Magic Powerline. The efficient WiFi aids from devolo use the electrical wiring of your home to transport the internet signal throughout your living space. Simply place a Powerline adapter near the router and another in the room without internet in the socket, and you're done.

You have up to three powerful Gigabit LAN ports per socket – and, depending on which devolo solution you choose, also fast WiFi. Simultaneously, reliably, and everywhere you need it.

By using LAN over the power network, you can save the hassle of laying LAN cables and easily and flexibly utilize the ideal combination of LAN and WiFi . Brilliant, right?