PowerLine Networking: An Alternative to Wireless

If the promise of wireless networking in the home or small office hasn't lived up to your expectations, and wiring Ethernet cables is costly or difficult, then consider using your existing electrical wiring to run network signals throughout your location.

I've tested and installed a number of wireless technologies (wireless A, G and Linksys-N) in home and business locations, but there are situations where, because of interference or concern over security, wireless is not a desirable choice. D-Link's DHP-301 PowerLine HD network starter kit uses your existing electrical wiring to connect computers, routers and switches, eliminating the need to run or install separate Ethernet wiring.



Although the theoretical maximum data rate is 200Mbps, you'll get lower, but unlike wireless, the connection will be consistent and fast, at regular wired Ethernet speeds. This means for home users, it is great for gaming, streaming music and video, while business users can run VoIP, large file transfers or other high-bandwidth traffic consistently. It also includes a Quality-of-Service (QoS) engine so you can prioritize data packets to improve streaming.

What you get in the kit is 2 identical adapters that are similar in size and shape to an electical wall timer, but instead of a clock it has one standard 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet connector on it, as well as 3 diagnostic LEDs. You also get two 4-foot Cat5 Ethernet cables, which are a bit short for 10/100 cables; six- or eight-footers would have been more useful. The diagnostic LEDs are for power, Ethernet network connectivity, and a useful light that shows if another PowerLine device has been detected.

Out of the box, simply installing the PowerLine devices and connecting your switch with a computer will work. However, you'll want to use the included setup CD to secure your DHP-300s, especially in situations where your location shares power with other offices or residences. Effectively, your breaker panel acts like a firewall, preventing network signals from leaving the premises, but without a guarantee of how a multi-unit location is wired you'll want to secure the connection between the two PowerLine devices.

The install CD was fairly straightforward, although they refer to a "PLC" and "ETH" node but don't specifically say which unit is which. The two units are identical and interchangeable as I discovered by trial and error. The PLC node is the unit that attaches to your switch while the ETH node is the one that attaches to your PC. As the installation and manual warns you, set up your PLC node first, otherwise you won't be able to connect to the ETH node and you'll have to reset the devices. All you need to do is set the Net ID and 3DES Encryption Key the same on both and they'll communicate. Write them down somewhere secure, because if you decide to add more nodes you'll need to assign it with these values. The setup is generally quicker and simpler than setting up a wireless router, and there are far fewer variables to worry about. Presumably, you could also segment your network using different Net IDs but sticking to the IP addressing side for this is probably a better solution. You could also use it to locate a wireless access point to increase your wireless coverage.

D-Link's PowerLine kit comes with 2 units, but as of this writing they do not sell single units. I installed a kit to replace a faltering wireless-N connection and it has worked flawlessly, without the usual concerns that a wireless installation brings. Highly recommended.

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Computers, Gadgets, Hardware, Networks, Reviews, Technology, t4t

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