TRENDnet's 500 Mbps Powerline Networking Kit

News
By Kevin Parrish
published

Get a 500 Mbps network connection using a power outlet.

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.

Kevin Parrish
12 Comments Comment from the forums
  • nforce4max
    Yikes I hope there is true sine wave filtering in these devices.
    Reply
  • _Cubase_
    These are really great devices... but not for everybody. Most modern houses use multiple circuits for mains power, which usually splits rooms up into zones. So the ability to network two rooms requires they be on the same circuit/zone. If not, you will have to find another solution. But for everybody else, it's a win.
    Reply
  • mancream
    I'm stupid on this stuff which is why I'm about to ask a question :)

    Is this internet coming from umm...a power outlet? So...with this I won't need my internet provider and save a huge load right?


    Reply
  • christop
    ^^ No IT sends your existing signal threw your house power wires to your outlets.
    Reply
  • Man cream, you still need a source for your internet. Think of this as a big wire.
    Reply
  • yellowblue
    If you plug this in a hotel for example and there are around 50 people using the same adapter is it possible they can see your computer without a firewall (assuming the same subnet)? Or this works like a wifi router and you need to join to a network? I assume everyone will share the 500Mbps bandwidth. Is there a limit of the distance you can connect to (let say on a different building but the same grid)?
    Reply
  • Nope. This is for connecting your devices in other rooms to your router/switch, so that you don't have to pull ethernet cable all over the house. It won't give you internet magically from some unknown place. You may ask, why not use wireless instead? Powerline ethernet is generally more stable with little fluctuate in speeds and no drop outs.

    Also, regarding the multiple circuits, these new ones definitely work (albeit at a slower speed). My Netgear XAVB2001 gives me 8MB/s (~64mbps) on the same phase and 2.1 MB/s on a different circuit.

    If you plug into a hotel room and I assume you have two.. others shouldn't be accessing it if you turned encryption on. If encryption is not turned on, you still have a limit of adapters that can communicate.. limit is 16.

    Can't wait for these badboys.
    Reply
  • mancream
    oh okay it confused me, like I said i know nothing about electrical or computers.
    Reply
  • Boxa786
    About time, be24, who were first to launch adsl2+ tested this type of connection at least 4 years ago. They managed to maintain 1gbs in a whole office block. I heard about it from a friend and he also told me it trial was given to a handful of businesses in London. Been waiting for it ever since, but all major isps choose to milk the market dry!
    Reply
  • dEAne
    this is a good clean device for connecting pc.
    Reply