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An Alternate Approach to Networking

When Wireless and Ethernet are not viable...

By Alexandru Pancescu, Hardware Editor

23rd of July 2007, 10:40 GMT

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Networking is one of the hottest computing domains in terms of both hardware and software. The most used standard (and the cheapest and oldest, by the way) is the Ethernet, it uses cables to connect different computers together or some other pieces of networking equipment. There are however times when the good old Ethernet is not the best solution. Think about running cables over great distances, or across buildings and so on. In those cases, there is the Wireless approach, networking without the need

of cables.

Even when using this approach there are some scenarios where wireless networking is not really feasible or even possible (the distance between the wireless router/access point is too much, or too many devices using the 2.4GHzwireless spectrum). This is when a 3rd alternative comes into play: networking across power lines (electrical cables) that feed energy to all out electric appliances. Power line networks work by using the electrical network as a classical data network, where each electric outlet may serve as a node. Any Ethernet-equipped device (PCs, TVs, and digital media adapters, among others) that's connected to a power line adapter is part of the power line network.

Data can be transmitted through power lines using a networking device called a "Powerline Ethernet adapter" that simply converts and sends or receives information to an electrical outlet. Such an adapter is needed for all the computers, routers or switches connected to the "electrical network". Earlier versions of the Powerline Ethernet adapters were capable of speeds under 100Mbps, while the latest versions are reaching speeds up to 200MBps.

The main advantage of this networking approach is that it eliminates the need of Ethernet cables running around work spaces or the need to buy and install antennas, access points and so on. The installation of the power line adapter is very simple as it is only needed to connect itself to a computer's network card and using a short cable to an electrical outlet.

TAGS:

ethernet | wireless | power line | adapter | network

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