Tuesday TRENDnet said that despite earlier announcements from competitors, its new TPL-401E is now the first 500 Mbps power line-based network adapter to hit the market. The device eliminates the need for stringing Ethernet cables across the floor or adding Ethernet wiring to walls, using a building's existing power grid as the network foundation.
Available on November 29 for $99.99 USD, the network device will also arrive in a bundle of two adapters-- the 500 Mbps Powerline AV Adapter Kit (TPL-401E2K)-- for $179.99. The kit is actually necessary for starting the network, allowing end-users to plug one into the router and the other directly into any electrical outlet to create a secure 500 Mbps building-wide network. The setup still requires the use Ethernet cables, however only for connecting the PC to the actual Powerline AV Adapter unit.
"A Gigabit Ethernet port maintains a high performance wired connection," the company said. "Manage each Powerline adapter on your network with the included Windows utility. LED displays convey device status for easy troubleshooting, and advanced 128-bit AES encryption secures your network. This adapter is ideal for use in buildings that interfere with wireless networking signals."
According to TRENDnet, the power line-based network can support up to 16 adapters and easily manages multiple video, audio, and gaming streams without network lag. Consumers and network administrators looking for an alternate solution to using Ethernet and wireless connections can grab TRENDnet's new adapter on Monday.
