Power Line Networking the home

OK, so you have your wireless network setup nicely in your house BUT the speed of wireless is just not cutting it. Too slow and even the new Wireless N standard is not enough speed.

So, you may want to consider Power Line networking to extend your network without needing to add ethernet cabling throughout your home.

How does it work? Basically, you substitute your electrical wiring for ethernet cabling.

There are various companies that make the Kits (NetGear, Linksys, Belkin) For about $100 bucks, it's not a bad idea!

-------------------------------

From Dell, a bit more about Powerline technology:

What is Powerline Technology?

Wired internet is typically delivered through Ethernet cables installed throughout your home. But how do you extend internet without Ethernet cabling or additional wireless routers?

It turns out that you can use your home’s existing electrical wiring to carry Ethernet signals. Powerline technology is most often used to extend an Ethernet connection from the room where the router is located to another room where a network connection is needed.

A powerline bridge consists of two adapters, one plugged into an outlet near your router, and one plugged into a power outlet in the location where you want network coverage. Powerline adapter starter kits generally come in pairs — with one adapter at each end of the connection. Once you’ve got an adapter attached to your router, you can add another powerline adapter to any plug in your house.

Powerline Speed

Powerline can be fast enough for many uses including streaming large files. If you want a powerline bridge for demanding applications like streaming or game play, make sure you get the latest powerline network products, which are labeled “HomePlug AV.” Some of these new products claim data transmission rates of up to 200Mbps1 and can deliver sufficient bandwidth for a single stream of HDTV.

Avoid older products on the market that are much slower, and be aware that you can’t mix powerline technologies. Be sure to get powerline adapters of the same type and from the same manufacturer.

Also, know that your mileage may vary.

Powerline network coverage and performance depends on many factors including the type of wiring in your home, the length of the wires, how the wires are attached to your service panel, and the types of electrical appliances that are in use. Powerline networking works better in some homes than others, and you might also find that some of your outlets work better than others.

Setting It Up

One of the best things about extending your network with powerline technologies is that it is very easy to set up. Simply plug both adapters (you need at least two) into your wall outlets, one into your router, and then connect the Ethernet cables on each end to your devices and you’re good to go. You can even use powerlines to connect a wireless router to your network