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Powerline and Phoneline EquipmentHave you decided that a Phoneline or Powerline network is right for your home based business' networking needs? Before you jump in there are just a couple of things to remember.
O.k., if we haven't dissuaded you, you KNOW that a phone or Powerline network is for you! So, let's take a look at the folks who are making the equipment and software you need to make your home power or Phoneline network a reality. For detailed information on all the equipment outlined below, see our product matrix Phoneline/Powerline.
Powerline and Phoneline Equipment ReviewPhoneline and Powerline Networking Equipment* (Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)
* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Actiontec's Powerline Ethernet Adapters (2), 4 port hub and wireless network extender are all "plug and play" and in most cases will not require specialized software drivers. Cost - $$$$ Actiontec's Powerline 85Mbps Ethernet adapter is $59.99, the 200Mbps adapter is $124.99. The MegaPlug Wireless Network Extender is $99.99, the MegaPlug 85Mbps Ethernet Adapter is $59.99 and the MegaPlug 85Mbps 4 Port Hub is $89.99 See our product matrix for more information Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. The addition of a wireless adapter for the Powerline network makes Actiontec's implementation more flexible and viable. Ease of Use - @@@@ Just plug your adapters into a power outlet and an Ethernet connection from your PC into the adapters. You're networked (with some manipulation of your Windows software as well). Works With - YYY The Actiontec devices are designed for the Windows environment. Support - pppp Actiontec's equipment carries a one year warranty. The web site includes downloads, a FAQ and user manuals. If you need more help, you can email tech support or call them on their "800" number. Features - iii1/2+ Triple DES data encryption 85Mbps HomePlug Turbo Powerline 1.0.1 support on the hub, 85Mbps Ethernet Adapter and Wireless Network Extender. The MegaPlug AV 200Mbps Ethernet Adapter supports 200Mbps, QoS and 128-bit AES encryption. Overall Rating - %%%% Solid adapters, good tech support strategy. Worth a look.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Belkin's Powerline adapter install easilys - it is "plug and play" ready. On systems later than Windows 98, you probably won't even need to load a special software driver. Cost - $$$1/2 Belkin makes a USB 1.1 Powerline adapter at $59.99. See our product matrix for more information Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ Belkin's adapter is "plug and play" and in most cases will not require a lot of work to connect your systems and begin sharing files and peripherals. Works With - YYY The Belkin device isdesigned for the Windows environment. Support - pppp1/2 Belkin provides a lifetime warranty on their Powerline adapters. Their support services are 'above' the norm and their knowledge base is extensive and searchable. Their site also includes a download area and FAQ. If you need more help, you can contact them via phone ('800' number is available), fax or email. Features - iii1/2 The Triple DES encryption is a necessity. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ Solid adapter backed by a lifetime warranty and free technical support. A good Powerline solution.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน D-Link's adapters are "plug and play" and install using a standard 10/100Mbps Ethernet port on your system and your home electrical system. Cost - $$$1/2 D-Link's Powerline Ethernet adapter is priced at $129.99 and the starter kit with two adapters is $145.47. See our product matrix for more information Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ Simple "plug and play" start-up and operation. Works With - YYY D-Link's adapters are designed for the Windows environment. Support - ppp1/2 D-Link provides a one year warranty on their Powerline adapters. The tech support area on the D-Link web site includes software downloads, a searchable knowledge base, training guides and a FAQ. If you need more help (unless you subscribe to a premium support plan for extra $$'s), email submission is your only recourse. Features - iii1/2+ The adapters come with triple DES encryption and a 200Mbps throughput rate. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ Solid, fast, adapters from a company that knows networking for homes and small businesses.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Dyanmode's Ethernet adapters for Powerline networking are easy to install and setup for use in your home network. Cost - $$$$ Dynamode's Ethernet adapter is priced at $44.99 (we were unable to locate pricing for the twin pack with two adapters). For complete information see our product matrix Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ Once installed, you'll be able to use your network to transfer files, share printers and more. Works With - YYY Dynamode's adapters are designed for the Windows environment. Support - pp There isn't much in the way of support at the Dyanmode site (if you're having trouble or need help with your one year warranty). If you click on support, you just get the opportunity to send tech support an email. Features - iii+ Basic Powerline equipment, features and functions including DES encryption. 85Mbps throughput rates. Overall Rating - %%%+ Basic gear that is hard to find.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน GigaFast makes two Ethernet power supplies, twelve Ethernet bridges, two video transport devices, two wireless access points (802.11b/g), two audio adapters and two Powerline signal repeaters. All of the devices are "plug and play" and will often not require installation of specialized software drivers. Cost - $$$$ We were only able to locate pricing for the PE-902-EBx Ethernet bridge at $49.99. See our product matrix for details Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ GigaFast's bridges and adapters are "plug and play" and in most cases will not require a lot of work to connect your systems and begin sharing files and peripherals. Works With - YYY GigaFast's adapters and bridges are designed for the Windows environment. Support - ppp1/2 GigaFast provides a three year warranty on their Powerline equipment. The tech support area on the GigaFast web site includes driver downloads and installation guides. If you need more help, you can email or call tech support on their "800" number from 8 AM to 8 PM Pacific. Features - iiii1/2+ GigaFast's bridges supply basic network functionality (physical layer connectivity, data encryption) at a moderate price. One of the few vendors that also include signal repeaters, wireless access points, audio and video adapters and signal repeaters. By far the most comprehensive product set we've reviewed. Overall Rating - %%%% GigaFast Powerline products deliver on the connectivity capabilities of Powerline networking. Good devices at competitive prices.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน IO Gear makes a USB adapter and two networking kits. All are "plug and play" and, in most cases, will not require specialized software drivers to get your network up and running. Cost - $$$1/2 IO Gear's adapter is priced at $79.95 and the networking kits at $129.95 and $169.95. See our product matrix for more details Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ IO Gear's adapter and kits are "plug and play" and in most cases will not require a lot of work to connect your systems and begin sharing files and peripherals. Works With - YYY IO Gear's Powerline equipment is designed for the Windows environment. Support - ppp1/2 IO Gear provides a one year warranty on their Powerline adapters and kits. The tech support area on their web site includes a tech library and downloads. If you need more help, you can fill out an online form. Their is a U.S. "800" number but it is NOT dedicated to technical support. You'll have to take your chances if you call them. Features - iii1/2 IO Gear's Powerline USB adapter and kits supply basic Powerline functionality including very necessary Triple DES encryption. Overall Rating - %%%1/2 IO Gear's Powerline solution is solid, pricing is moderate.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน JAHT devices are plug and play, or in the case of the combo Powerline adapters and routers/ADSL modems/switches/access point, include web-based management to simplify installation of the network. Cost - Incomplete JAHT makes two Ethernet to Powerline adapters, and adapter with a router and switch and an adapter with 802.11b/g wireless and a 4 port Ethernet switch. We were unable to locate pricing for any of the JAHT equipment. See our product matrix for more details Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ The devices are "plug and play", and routers/switches/ADSL modem combo includes web-based management to make changes easier. Works With - YYY JAHT's Powerline equipment is designed for the Windows environment. Support - ppp JAHT's gear carries a one year warranty. The web site includes a downloads area as well as a FAQ. If you need more help, you can email technical support, or attempt to call their number in Taiwan. Features - iiii1/2 JAHT's equipment includes everything you'd expect Powerline devices - 56-bit DES encryption and 85Mbps networks speeds, for the router - firewalls, NAT, NATP, DMZ and Virtual Server support, for 802.11g wireless - 64/128-bit WEP encryption, 802.1x authentication. Overall Rating - Incomplete Decent products - but almost impossible to find!
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Linksys makes Powerline networking equipment. Their Powerline equipment includes two Ethernet bridges, a kit that includes two Powerline AV adapters and a USB adapter. Cost - $$$1/2 Linksys makes a Powerline Ethernet Bridge at $58.99, a Powerline AV Ethernet bridge at $84.99, a kit with two Powerline AV bridges at $179.99 and a Powerline USB adapter at $62.99. See our product matrix for details Phoneline/Powerline Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), Powerline networks are a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ Linksys' Powerline adapters all support "plug and play" and install without drivers on most Windows systems. Works With - YYY Linksys' adapters and bridges are designed for the Windows environment. Support - pppp1/2 Linksys Powerline equipment carries a one year warranty. The tech support area on the Linksys website is one of the "richest" with FAQs, a support are with tips and tricks to solve most common problems, a searchable knowledge base and software downloads. If you need more help, you can contact Linksys technical support via email, online chat or at their "800" number 24x7. Features - iiii Linksys provides a number of options and adapters for you to choose from when building your home Powerline network. The equipment supports all the functions you'll need, simply and flexibly. Overall Rating - %%%%+ Linksys makes solid products at a good price. With their acquisition by Cisco, expect even better price, performance and reliability! A Linksys purchase won't let you down!
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Panasonic's Ethernet adapters for Powerline are simple to install and begin using. They are plug and play and in most cases, won't require a specialized driver. Cost - $$$1/2 Panasonic's HD-Powerline adapter is priced at $79.95, the two pack starter kit is $149.95. Product specifications are available in our product matrix Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ Panasonic's adapters are simple to operate - they just work once installed. Works With - YYYY The Panasonic adapters are Windows and Linux compatible. Support - pppp Panasonic offers a one year warranty on their Powerline adapters. The tech support area of the Panasonic web site includes a FAQ and downloads. If you need more help you can email or call technical support ("800" number support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Features - iii1/2 Panasonic's adapters include 128-bit AES encryption and support speeds up to 70Mbps. They can accommodate a network with 16 adapters and 128 attached devices. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ Solid Powerline adapters that can be used to construct a solid home network.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน SMC makes a 14Mbps Powerline adapter (Ethernet), an 85Mbps Powerline adapter (Ethernet) and a 200Mbps Powerline adapter (Ethernet/Coax) - all are "plug and play" and install simply and easily in most situations. Cost - $$$$ SMC's Powerline Ethernet adapters are priced at $42.00, $89.95 (85Mbps model) and $99.00 (200Mbps model). For product detail, see our product matrix Phoneline/Powerline. Time Savings - นนนนน If your systems are all desktops, or never move (and you never plan on moving them), a Powerline or Phoneline network is a simple and effective way of connecting your systems without installation of coax. Ease of Use - @@@@ The SMC devices install simply and run well and the Ethernet desktop Powerline adapter includes an easy-to-use configuration manager as well. Works With - YYYY SMC's Powerline adapters are OS independent (but the Configuration Manager software requires Windows). Support - pppp1/2 SMC provides a limited lifetime warranty on all of their Powerline equipment. The tech support area on the SMC web site is very rich and contains a searchable knowledge base, software downloads, configuration utility, FAQs, glossary and other troubleshooting information. If you need more help, you can use the online chat interface to communicate with technical support personnel or you can email them or call them on their "800" number. Features - iiii SMC adds some nice "touches" like the Configuration Manager software to make setting up your Powerline network easier. Both Powerline 1.0 adapters support 56-bit DES encryption, the Powerline AV model supports 128-bit AES encryption. Overall Rating - %%%%+ SMC makes quality, cost-effective Powerline equipment. Reliable technology from a vendor that stands behind their gear.
Black Box Technical Documents - Black Box has a compendium of more than 1,000 documents that you can search through or ask them to fax to your machine. They cover a wide variety of technologies and explain many of them in great detail. If you're a novice or an old pro just needing a refresher course, Black Box has a ton of information you can use.
Whatis - Need a term defined? Want to know where to get more information on that term? Check out Whatis. Simply enter the term and get a definition and links to more information on that term.
So, think that maybe Ethernet - or wireless might work better? See our review of: or... |
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