IEEE 802.11n: Will it replace switched Ethernet and The End of Ethernet?

The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11n standard represents the beginning of the end for wired Ethernet as the dominant local area network (LAN) access technology in the enterprise. With the technology advancements over the next few years, developments in system silicon, radio design, network control, wireless security, power management and cost will improve 802.11n to the point where it will actually replace the switched Ethernet market.
Enterprise mobility can facilitate business continuity, improve collaboration, simplify teleworking and increase employee retention. The benefits and drawbacks of 802.11n have been discussed below.
1. Pervasive mobility:
The definitive and unalterable competitive advantage that 802.11 will provide over Ethernet is the ability to provide pervasive mobility.
2. Performance:
802.11n throughput is good enough for many enterprise users though Gigabit Ethernet provides greater throughput than 802.11n. And, 802.11n latency and jitter are well below most latency and jitter budgets though are much greater than that of Gigabit Ethernet.

3. Security:
It involves greater security threats than wired Ethernet in the areas of eavesdropping, Denial of Service (DoS) and MAC/PHY intrusion. Though technology exists to make an 802.11n network almost as secure as Ethernet, it costs greater than wired Ethernet network.

4. Management & Staffing:
It requires network managers to provide new tasks such as site planning and spectrum management and new tools must be used to manage WLANs such as spectrum analyzers and WLAN monitoring equipment.
And, also staffs must learn the new technology to deploy, maintain and upgrade their network.

5. Cost:
The cost for deployment of both technologies vary significantly and depend upon many enterprise-specific factors so it cannot simply be assumed that wireless is more expensive than wires Ethernet or vice-versa.
6. Market Impact:
The growth of Ethernet switching market will slow down due to WLAN substitution and also there are greater chances that vendors with unified wireless-wired solutions such as Cisco, HP ProCurve and Siemens-Enterasys will have an advantage over pure-play wireless vendors.
So, Enterprise should consider 802.11n an appropriate LAN access substitute for wires Ethernet if,
- The number of mobile device users is growing,
- The enterprise uses mobile applications
- Fast Ethernet throughput is good enough,
- The enterprise deploys Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP),
- Moves/adds/changes are made frequently,
- The risk of deliberate DOS attack is low to moderate &
- Ethernet cable installation is difficult.

REFERENCE:-
- PAUL DEBEASI