Build a SOHO Network with Ethernet over Powerlines
Integrators can now offer networking services without delving into the complexities of pulling cable or configuring wireless products. What's more, newer technologies allow integrators to bundle simple networking components with other hardware, bringing additional value to the sale.
The big problem with retrofitting an existing structure such as an older home or small business—or say, an older school or apartment building—can be summed up in one word: cost. Typically, an integrator or system builder would need to pay an electrician or certified cable installer to pull and terminate Ethernet cable; it's a service that lines the electrician's pockets, but not the system builder's. Some integrators may choose to pull the cable themselves, but that opens them up to potential headaches, ranging from electrical problems to damage to drywall or wallboard, all which can be expensive to fix or repair.
While wireless, in the form of Wi-Fi, offers one form of networking solution, the security, reliability and speeds Wi-Fi offers simply cannot compare to a wired solution, such as fast Ethernet over category 5 cable, or Cat 5 in industry jargon.
What's more, many of the wireless products available on the market, such as 802.11A/B/G access points, can be hampered by construction materials or interference generated by electronic devices, including cordless phones, microwave ovens, and garage-door openers. This is especially true of older structures built from either brick and mortar or iron; these materials are notorious for their ability to absorb and block radio signals.
Another downside with wireless is that system builders or integrators may need to purchase wireless network cards for their equipment. While notebooks are shipped ready to connect with wireless networks, desktops, printers and other network devices typically are not.
Back to the Future with Ethernet
These factors may seem to put the kibosh on networking for older structures, but new technology—well, actually an old technology revisited—has arrived back on the scene which makes networking ultra-simple: Ethernet over powerlines. While using standard power lines to carry Ethernet signaling throughout a structure might sound like something from science fiction, the reality is that those power lines located behind the walls offer a wonderful conduit for transmitting data.
The first iteration of Ethernet over powerlines was built on the HomePlug 1.0 standard, which provided speeds of 14 megabits per second (Mbps) over standard home wiring. But due to speed and connectivity limitations, most HomePlug 1.0-enabled networking products devices were offered as point-to-point bridges. They were quickly replaced with other technologies, such as wireless or wired networking solutions, including traditional wiring.
But that's changing, thanks to the new generation of Ethernet over powerlines technology, a specification called HomePlug 1.0 Turbo. Turbo enables speeds up to 85 Mbps. It is being embraced by a number of vendors. In fact, Actiontec, NetGear, and SMC Networks have already released HomePlug 1.0 Turbo compatible products. These products also offer backward compatibility with the previous generation of HomePlug-based products. Wiring: The Basics
For this TechBuilder Recipe, my sample environment was a typical home built over 10 years ago to the building and electrical codes of the time. The household wiring consists of a 150-amp service, with several ground fault interrupt (GFI) circuits.
First, to make sure everything works as well as possible, we need to understand some household wiring basics. The standard U.S. household wiring design has two 120-volt "hot" wires, plus a neutral that is at ground potential. The two 120-volt wires are obtained by grounding the center tap of the transformer supplying the house; when one hot wire is swinging positive with respect to ground, the other is swinging negative. This versatile design allows the use of either hot wire to supply the standard 120-volt household circuits. For higher-power applications, such as clothes dryers, electric ranges, and air conditioners, both hot wires can be used to produce a 240-volt circuit. Here's a diagram detailing this:
For this Recipe, we'll be working with the standard 120-volt household circuits, and we will try to keep our plug-in Ethernet adaptors on the same circuits for best performance. We'll also try to avoid GFI circuits and crossing over several circuit breakers, though in most cases, GFI and multiple breaker hops shouldn't pose a problem. Also, filtered battery backups or outlet strips should never be used, as they can filter out the Ethernet signal.
Inexpensive Vendor Offerings
Let's get started with Netgear's latest product, the 85 Mbps XE104 Wall-Plugged Ethernet Bridge, shown here:
The Netgear XE104 combines Turbo technology with a four-port switch, which lets you hook up four Ethernet devices to a single XE104. For a street price of around $75, the XE104 is an affordable way to connect up to four Ethernet devices to the network at single locations. This would work well for SOHO users with a PC, shared printer, and other network peripherals in close proximity.
For this Recipe, we will install one XE104 by the broadband router. Other XE104s will be scattered about the home to bring Ethernet to other areas.
For low-speed applications and single device locations, I recommend the Linksys Instant Powerline EtherFast 10/100 Bridge (model # PLEBR10). This unit adheres to the HomePlug 1.0 standard and signals at a rate of 14 Mbps. The Linksys unit is ideal for print servers, or Xbox connectivity, where 14 Mbps is more than adequate for communications. And with a street price of about $60, the Linksys unit is affordable. Here's a look:
Of course, Netgear and Linksys aren't the only players in this field. Both SMC Networks and Actiontec offer HomePlug 1.0 Turbo products at similar prices, with similar features. For example, SMC offers the SMCHT-ETH EZ Connect Turbo Powerline to Ethernet Desktop Adapter, which retails for roughly $120. It's shown here:
Similarly, Actiontec offers several products, ranging from a four-port switch to a single-line device to a Turbo-to-wireless bridge; the latter lets you put an 802.11G access point anywhere in the home where there's an outlet. For example, there's the company's MegaPlug 85 Mbps 4-Port Hub, which retails for just under $130. Actiontec also offers this visual, showing how simple SOHO connectivity can be:
Three Steps to Ethernet Over Powerlines
Building our network will take place in three stages: a site survey, plugging in the Ethernet over powerlines devices, and then plugging in the peripherals. Let's look at each step in some detail:
- Survey the site: In this step, identify where the PCs, printers and other gear will be located. As part of this process, locate the power outlets, make sure they all function, and determine where the circuit leads to in the control panel/fuse box. Check the outlets with an outlet tester, such as the one pictured below. You can buy one at a hardware or home-improvement store for less than $15. Here's the one I used:
- An outlet tester will help you identify problems such as bad grounds, reversed wires or bad connections—all of which you should avoid, of course. In fact, if you do encounter any of these problems, you should bring in a certified electrician to make the needed repairs.
- Plug in the devices: In this step, simply plug in your Ethernet over powerlines devices (either the Netgear, Linksys or Actiontec device, as discussed above). This should be done on an outlet-by-outlet basis. First, plug in the central unit, which should be located at the broadband router, file server, or other primary network device being deployed.
- After plugging in your device(s), make sure you have an indicator that says that you have connectivity. On Netgear's box, for example, this will be indicated by a blue LED light on the actual box (as shown below). The other vendors offer similar indicators.
- Plug in the peripherals: This is the final step. Simply plug your PCs, printers, and all other peripheral devices. Once again, this should be done on an item-by-item basis. Test connectivity along the way. As depicted by the Netgear box (shown below), our first plugged-in device shows we have connectivity:
- After connecting the first PC to the network, boot up the system. Then make sure you have access to all network resources, such as connectivity to the Internet, if a broadband router is part of the scheme. After testing the first PC, repeat the process with the remaining PCs and devices on the network. Once all the devices are powered up and connected, the job is done.
Services to Offer your Customers
Once you have a customer or user's network set up and running, consider offering additional services. Right off the bat, you could offer an anti-virus solution, anti-spam technology, content filtering, or other security capabilities. Another offering to consider is remote access. This would let your customers access their home systems from the road. It would also let you remotely troubleshoot their new network.
The beauty of the HomePlug 1.0 specification is that more and more devices are arriving on the scene all the time. Also, the Turbo edition brings sufficient speed to power services you can offer, such as video on demand, home entertainment systems, even voice over IP (VoIP) solutions.
Installing a basic SOHO network with Ethernet over powerlines can help you build long-term relationships with customers that are not only profitable, but also easy to maintain.
CAROL ANN MUFF is the operations manager for Magnum Computer Consulting, a New York-based systems integrator specializing in custom accounting solutions for the small-business market.