Dell Desktop Deals
CNET's guide to your home's hidden network
By Matt Lake
(11/13/02)
You have ultrafast broadband access to your home or small office, but only one of your computers can access it. You have a fabulous new printer, but only one of your computers is wired to use it. It sounds like the one thing you don't have is a home network.
Most homes and many older offices aren't wired for Ethernet. Heck, they're not even set up for phones in every room, and the idea of installing broadband wiring by yourself is as scary as the thought of doing your own orthodontia. The most common solution is a wireless network using either 802.11b (Wi-Fi) or the faster 802.11a, but these networks have limited range, and throughput decreases the farther away you get. So unless you're ready to hire an electrician to drag cable through your wall cavities, you have only one other set of cords to use: the ones from which you get your electricity.
Sure enough, there is a technology standard for computer networking through 110V power lines--just by plugging an adapter into a two- or three-pronged power outlet. It's called the HomePlug 1.0 standard, and products that meet it can connect PCs, Macs, routers, and Ethernet-based Internet devices such as radios and game consoles.
So your home's already wired for a so-called power-line network. What else is there to know? Read on for instructions, advice, and reviews of four top power-line products.
What is power-line networking?
Let's face it--not everyone has time to keep up with the latest trends in home networking. In this section, we explain the technology and how it stacks up to competing and more-established standards.
How do I set up a power-line network?
If you have two computers and a couple of power outlets in your home, then you're ready for power line--almost. Here's what else you need.
So what's the downside?
Like all new and emerging standards, power-line technology has a few kinks of its own. We'll tell you what they are and what you can do about them.
Just show me the products
Whether you've already mastered the ins and outs of power-line networking or can't wait to dive right in, we review four of the latest HomePlug products.
What is power-line networking? CNET alumnus and contributing editor to CNET Reviews, Matt Lake edits the domain-registration buyer's guide RegSelect. Have a question for them? Tell us.
