What is Powerline Networking?

Nowadays most people have a WiFi network in their home.  Therefore it is easy to make the assumption that a wire based home network set-up is an outdated and redundant technology.  But, that is not the case.

Yes, modern home Wi-Fi networks are convenient, fast and reliable - but not always without their problems. And this is where Powerline Networking can step in and save the day.  Powerline offers a simplicity and reliability that can fill in the gaps in your network.  It's not designed to replace a Wi-Fi set-up but to complement what is already there.

Powerline Networking - The Basics

A Powerline network is a wired network that is made up of ‘hidden’ wires.
For example, just imagine that you have a broadband router in your hallway and a smart TV in the living room.  Let's also assume  that this TV is not wireless-enabled.  

This would mean that the only way you can enjoy online content on it would be to run an extra long cable from the router in the hallway all the way to the TV in your front room.  Not only does it look terrible, but it presents all kinds of practical problems.  Not good!!

The Solution -
The solution is to employ a Powerline set-up.  Installation is simple and you do not need to install any new wires  - as it will make use of the ‘hidden’ electrical wires already built into your home. 

All you have to do is buy a basic kit, which comes with two Powerline adapters and two short Ethernet cables. You connect the first adapter to your router in the hallway via a short Ethernet cable and then plug it into the nearest power socket.
Then get your second adapter, click the second Ethernet cable into the back of it and click the other end into the smart TV.  Then plug the second adapter into the nearest power socket. 

The adapters auto-detect each other (no drivers, no lengthy configuration process) and auto-connect over the powerlines.  The router can now whizz data packets to your TV over this physical connection like magic. A simple solution for complementing your existing WiFi network.

And that's it.  You now have internet on your TV.  Happy days!

Why use Powerline networking?

A Powerline network has several benefits over a Wi-Fi set-up.

Advantages -

• Extend Reach of Existing Home Network
• Consistent Speeds
• Reliability
• Security
• Ease-of-Use

Perhaps the greatest advantage of Powerline technology is its bridging potential, whereby it can extend the reach of a home network to places where wireless coverage is poor/ not reaching.

It's also a great solution for connecting old devices to the Internet that don't have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.  Powerline is a neat and effective networking solution and the wires are ‘hidden’ out of sight.

And as data is sent across the copper wiring in your home, it can't be hacked or misused from the outside, as may be the case with a wireless connection, and you can password protect your adapters to add an extra layer of protection.