Power behind networking

Much attention is given to wireless networking when discussing the future of network technology, but the possibilities of powerline communications (PLC) in networking are seldom discussed - and have much to offer, especially in the digital home.

Wireless technology has made a huge impact on networking and, with the release of the 802.11n standard around the corner, the full potential of wireless networking is yet to be explored. But PLC, while less talked about, is a progressed technology that offers interesting possibilities in terms of networking, especially to home users.

Networking over powerlines has been in the works for some time, but has recently become more stable and realistic. Speeds have also increased substantially since the early days and Ethernet connections over powerlines can now provide bandwidth up to 85Mbps with the use of open standards, and even higher speeds using vendor-specific technologies.

While this speed is higher than wireless, the real advantages of powerline Ethernet lie in its use in the back-end of a home network. The argument is not a powerline versus wireless one, but rather that the technologies complement each other.

The argument is not a powerline versus wireless one, but rather that the technologies complement each other.

Andy Robb, Duxbury Networking's chief technologist and technical advisor

Because it uses conventional powerlines, houses already have all the cabling needed for establishing powerline networks and no new cabling is required. In this regard powerline Ethernet offers a similar benefit to wireless; it does not rely on cable being laid.

But unlike wireless, the reach of powerline Ethernet within the home is not limited. Where wireless suffers the obstruction of walls, powerline offers connectivity wherever there is a plug point.

The idea is then to extend the powerline network with wireless adapters, thereby enabling wireless devices in each room to connect to the powerline backbone.

There were discussions of using PLC technology for broadband Internet delivery too, but this became less talked about in the consumer sense once commercial broadband connections surpassed the speeds that could be provided by PLC technology.

PLC progressed to around 3Mbps. While this is a sufficiently speedy connection by South African standards, even Telkom with its new 4Mbps connection can do better.

The possibility of using PLC for specific wide area network solutions is still a possibility, however, such as in the provisioning of dedicated connections for linking retail outlets. The relatively low cost of such connections and speed that can be deployed because the cabling is already in place, does offer some possibilities.

The release of technologies such as WiMax will reduce these PLC applications too. But it still offers a viable solution for home networking.

Vendors have embraced powerline Ethernet home networking with the release of specific products that simplify the establishment of home powerline networks.

Routers are available that connect to commercial broadband connections such as ADSL and share them on the powerline network. Powerline Ethernet and wireless adapters are then used in each of the rooms where connectivity is needed.

For the modern digital home, with its many networkable devices in each room, this offers arguably the ideal setup for getting it all connected. Gaming consoles, including handhelds, voice over IP handsets, laptops, desktops and even fridges are now easily brought onto the home network and provided with Internet connectivity.

Kits are also offered that contain routers, adapters (both Ethernet and wireless) and cables for quickly and painlessly setting up a home network that uses powerline Ethernet in the backend. Simply plug in, switch on and quickly configure.

Proprietary technologies within some manufacturers' products even boost the speed of powerline Ethernet well beyond even what will be possible with 802.11n wireless networking. One product, for example, can boost powerline Ethernet network speeds up to 200Mbps, almost double that of 802.11n wireless connections.

This is also fast enough to accommodate any level of network activity and boost the possibilities of backing up, for example, to network-attached storage. In the modern home with its large amounts of digital media in the form of music, movies and pictures being transported on the network, the needs for speeds in this region are ever-increasing.

As more and more devices are made networkable and the demands for home networking grow ever more stringent, a blend of wireless, powerline and broadband connectivity is providing the perfect environment for the modern digital home.