Considering New Ways To Connect

Solution providers need to explore what this technology can and cannot do before their clients start asking questions. On the business front, for example, powerline networking can be used to expand a network into fringe areas some distance from the network closet, so it represents an opportunity to provide and manage more infrastructure,for example, hot spots.

\

JOHN YACONO

Can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

To connect a system to a powerline network, you plug the PC's network or USB port into a wall adapter. There are also PCI-to-outlet adapters. For Internet access, you can connect another powerline-to-Ethernet adapter to an existing switch or router or use a powerline-capable broadband router. To set up a wireless hot spot, just plug a powerline-capable access point into an electrical outlet, eliminating a CAT5 cable run.

Some units also feature SNMP capability for monitoring, providing solution providers with remote management service opportunities.

The current standard developed by the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, an industry organization, allows for transmission speeds up to 14 Mbps, but speeds of up to 200 Mbps are on the road map for this year to support high-quality A/V and VoIP solutions.

id
unit-1659132512259
type
Sponsored post

One limitation of the technology,albeit a positive one,is that devices must be plugged into the same leg of an electrical utility's power transformer to communicate with one another. That limits signal access to those in the immediate vicinity who can gain physical access to the same electrical leg. The HomePlug 1.0.1 standard also layers on 56-bit DES encryption, useful for multi-business buildings and multiple-family dwellings.

Since being on separate power legs presents a challenge to connectivity, there's money to be made in doing site surveys and bridging power legs. For example, wireless bridges can be used to link power legs without violating the electrical code.

Speaking of the electrical code, 15-amp circuits are only allowed to support 15 devices communicating over a single circuit. Unless the National Electrical Code is revised, there's a limit on the number of devices per circuit allowed. This isn't such a bad limit for small-office, home networking or last-100-feet connections, though.

What are your experiences with powerline networking? Contact John Yacono via e-mail at [email protected].