Networking-over-mains uses the existing mains power wiring in your home to carry Ethernet signals.  The technology for carrying signals through the mains has been around, notably in the form of wireless baby monitors, and its use for carrying Ethernet signals has been common for some years in the US.  This flexible method for home network distribution is now catching on in Europe.

In its simplest form, Home Plug networking consists of a box at each location requiring a network connection.  The box is plugged in to the mains and has one other connection, an Ethernet socket, just like the wired Ethernet socket you could connect with wires.  You can use several of the boxes around your home.  You can have several isolated networks on the same mains wiring if you wish, each using its own password.  The standard to look for is called 'Home Plug'.  Any device with this branding should inter-operate.

The range for mains networking is usually stated at 100m but this limitation is important only if you need to reach the garden shed or similar.  Generally you will get a connection to any socket in your home as long as you have a single-phase supply.  A single-phase supply usually has only one electricity meter, which covers the vast majority of homes.

Here at Solwise we offer our own branded adapters including 85Mbps Turbo, 85Mbps Turbo Wireless and Home Plug AV. Additionally we stock the VeseNET range which includes 85Mbps Turbo Adapter and 85Mbps Turbo 3 Ethernet Port Unit.

See our different scenarios below and take what you need from each one.

Scenario 1 - Networking ADSL around the home/office - basic setup
This is a typical set-up for a small home office environment. In Room 1 the ADSL comes into the home and you connect to it using your ADSL Modem/Router. At this point you attach a Home Plug device to the Router in order that you can share the ADSL connection with other users in the home/office. If you only have the one computer but it is not located near to the ADSL line, you can attach a Home Plug router to the line which sends the signal along the mains to another room in the home. If you have a router in place already you can attach a Home Plug adapter to this via Ethernet cable for the same results.

In Room 2 you plug the Home Plug device into the power socket and depending on how many computers you need to connect you can either connect one computer direct to the single port Home Plug device using an Ethernet cable or if you have more than one computer, you can use a 3 port Home Plug device. You can continue to follow this example in each room that you require the ADSL/Network.

This example is ideal if you have your ADSL Router already in place. If you are new to ADSL and are looking to set-up from scratch it is worth noting that we supply ADSL modem/routers with the Home Plug capabilities already built-in. This will save you buying two boxes and having two devices where you can get away with one.

Scenario 2 - Networking ADSL around the home/office with multiple computers and games console

As above for room one but in this image we use the ADSL modem router with the Home Plug built in. Room two shows the 3 port unit which is ideal if you have two computers in one room as in a home office or a games console and computer in the kids playroom for example. Room three shows the Wireless Home Plug adapter, this has an Ethernet connector and wireless capabilities, great for computers or games consoles being connected direct to it and the laptop or wireless enabled computer using it wirelessly.

Scenario 3 - Sharing Cable Broadband around home/office for one computer

The cable modem is a fixed device which you are not allowed to remove from your line. If the modem is placed in a room away from your computer this is a great way setting a very basic network for one computer. Attach a Home Plug adapter to the cable modem via Ethernet Cable. Simple as that! In room two, plug in another Home Plug adapter, either ethernet or wireless and surf away!!

Scenario 4 - Sharing Cable Broadband around home/office for multiple computers and games console

As before, the cable broadband comes into the home via thecable modem, but in this case you will need an Ethernet router to create the actual network. The Home Plug adapter is connected to the router. Room two shows the wireless Home Plug adapter, ideal for connecting a games console and talking wirelessly to a laptop or wireless enabled computer. Room 3 shows a single Home Plug adapter connected to a computer, you could if required use the 3 port device connected to multiple computers etc.

Scenario 5 - Making full use of Home Plug Networking around your home

Scenario 6 - Making full use of Home Plug AV around your home
Home Plug AV works in the same way as Home Plug 1.0 but at faster speeds. It is ideal for streaming media around the home.