What is HomePlug® Networking?

HomePlug® networking is a way to carry data over a powerline such as a home power network. Its most common use is to create home computer networks without the need for additional cabling or wireless signals. HomePlug® itself is a brand name and the name of an industry standard for the system. When using HomePlug® networking, you should be able to route data signals between any two power sockets which are connected to the same electricity meter. In practice, the connection speed works out around half that achieved by a wireless network. This should be enough for most home internet use. A HomePlug® signal should be able to travel up to 328 feet (100 meters) without degrading, so will be adequate for virtually all homes. Around 70 companies are members of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, a trade group which promotes products under the HomePlug brand. The companies also use an agreed set of standards. This means that all products marked as HomePlug® will be compatible with one another. ...  more