Powerline network

This is building off my prior question about Cox cable internet. Now that we've signed up for service and'll be getting a cable modem soon, I've been thinking about networking options for the apartment. There'll be three computers sharing the connection in three different rooms. Personally I'd rather not be running ethernet cables throughout the place, as the rooms aren't exactly right next door and it'd proably require drilling. Wireless and powerline networks are my "real" options, and I'm leaning towards a powerline network.

My question is, what exactly do I need for that? I think I'll be needing three network cards, the little powerline adapter doodad that plugs into the wall, a router, and the modem. Do I need three powerline adapters, one for each computer, or only one on the router? I'm guessing it's three, but I don't really know enough yet about a powerline network to wrap my brain around the setup.

m19

 

power line is a VERY new technology that many of us are haven't even seen yet, so I'm not sure that you will get many replies about it.

 

Thanks for the tip. I actually posted over at broadbandreports.com and have a pretty good dialog going with some of the know-how's over there. I've learned quite a bit in a day!

m19

 

it's intersting to know that Powerline BB is in VA.. who's offering it?

 

What's BB?

m19

 

Broad Band

 

Ahh heh, sorry. Should've known that. It's Cox cable, but you can set up a powerline network with broadband in general as long as your lines can handle it.

m19

 

Powerline LAN I think what he is refering to, not Broadband through power.

 

i've heards its very slow. but never used

 

Doesn't power interfere with IP anyway?

 

Those ethernet over powerline setups do a fine job if your looking for basically just internet connection sharing. There max throughoutput is lower that both true ethernet and wireless but they don't require any special cabling or having to put holes in your walls, which is a big plus for renters especially. From what I've seen they max around 7mbit/sec and can be as low as the 2mbit/sec range depending on wiring and distance. But since residential cable doesn't typically exceed the 2mbit range it should work just fine.

The only drawback to this system is if you wanted to server very large files from one computer to the other and then it only suffers when time is critical.

Nj