Articles and whitepapers

Networking Options for the Home (2/9/2004)

By Willi Neumeier, Kraftcom

The number of so-called 'home networking' devices is increasing day by day. Games consoles, webcams, PCs, printers and even home automation, can all be networked, not only for operational convenience, but also because networked devices can be serviced and maintained more easily. The current trend therefore, is to enable more and more devices to be network-compatible. After all, even small devices have some kind of software or firmware that can be easily updated or upgraded via a network and the Internet.

There are various options available to the home owner for networking, involving cable or wireless technology. Cable technology is often considered for new build, but retrofitting and hiding a cable network in an existing property can involve time-consuming floor lifting, drilling, chasing-in and making good. The obvious alternative is to use a wireless network, but there are also wiring systems that already exist within the home that can be used for networking.

The five main networking options for the home are:

Ethernet (Cat5) cable.
Wireless LAN.
Power line.
TV coax cable.
Phone line.

Each has its pros and cons as follows:

Ethernet cable
Pros: fast, reliable.
Cons: retrofitting necessary.
Typical installations: offices, large installations of networks.

Wireless LAN (WiFi)
Pros: no cables required.
Cons: problems with walls, wireless range is very limited, Ethernet cable may be required to feed the wireless access points.
Typical installations: office, hotspots, single-floor home (i.e. no ceiling between floors).

Power (mains) lines
Pros: no new cables required, every power socket can be a networking socket, multiple sockets already exist in every room, range up to 200m.
Cons: bandwidth limitation currently 14Mb/s, but sufficient for home networking, combination with wireless possible with power line/WLAN access points (power line feeds the WiFi access point with data).
Typical installations: home networks, hotels, any location where wiring and drilling is to be avoided.

Networking using power lines

TV coax cable
Pros: no new cables required, every TV socket in the home can be used for networking, range up to 700m.
Cons: bandwidth limitation of 14Mb/s currently, but sufficient for home networking, combination with wireless possible.
Typical installations: home networks, hotels, any location where wiring and drilling is to be avoided.

Networking using TV coax cable

Telephone line
Pros: no new cables required, every phone socket in the home can be used for networking, range up to 1.7km.
Cons: bandwidth limitation of 10Mb/s currently, but enough for home networking.
Typical installations: home networks, hotels, any location where wiring and drilling is to be avoided.

Networking using telephone lines

If you do not want to suffer the inconvenience and cost of retrofitting a wired system, then power line, TV coax cable and phone line networking allow you to take advantage of wiring that has already been installed.

Networking via power lines allows PCs, printers and cameras to be networked, and can even allow you to use your games console to play with others around the world via the Internet. It is a flexible and convenient network thanks to the many power sockets in every home. In terms of data security, the electric meter acts as a barrier, so no one can access your data except in your building. An example of such a networking system is the Kraftcom PowerNET. This has an Ethernet socket so that any Ethernet device can be connected, and it encrypts data for additional security.

The Kraftom PowerNET with Ethernet socket

TV coax cable networking is effective for blocks of flats allow neighbours to share a flat rate from an ISP. The Kraftcom CableLAN for example, provides Internet access from every TV socket. It also has an Ethernet socket and uses encryption to protect data.

The Kraftcom CableLAN with Ethernet socket

Networking using telephone cables works well for large installations like hospitals and hotels. The Kraftcom TelNET system for example, supports distances up to 1700 meters. It uses the same technology as DSL, and can be used alongside ordinary telephone speech.

The Kraftcom TelNET with Ethernet socket

Networking in a Hurry

If a quick and cost-effective network installation is required, the first thing to do is establish what the customer wants to have and which infrastructure is available in the building. Also check how much bandwidth is required and how many users will be connected to the home network. While one networking technology may suffice, a combination of technologies can often provide the best solution.

Products such as PowerNET, CableLAN and TelNET are future-proofed, because they already have a bandwidth above the current available broadband connections (current Internet connections only require 1 - 3Mb/s). They will also be compatible with new developments with higher bandwidths, since they comply with the Homeplug and HomePNA standards. Indeed, if you want to install a fast and cost-effective network for your customer in a few minutes, such products are an ideal choice. All are plug and play - no driver is required. Just plug, surf and start home networking.

Willi Neumeier is the Product Manager for Kraftcom GmbH, specialist in Networks 'without new wiring' and solutions for the home network and hospitality markets.

www.kraftcom.net