Run Ethernet Over Your Coax TV Cable
This week D-Link announced a new product called the DXN-221, which allows users to run Ethernet over existing coax cabling throughout their homes.
The product is aimed at users who prefer to run hardwired networking through the home, primarily for speed and security. In this instance, running CAT6 cabling through the home, especially one that's not already pre-wired, could be both troublesome and ugly. Most homes however, have coax cabling wired throughout for TV use and for the most part, the bandwidth available goes largely untapped.
With D-Link's new DXN-221, customers hook the node up to an existing Ethernet connection in one end of the house, and then at the other end, where it would be too troublesome to run Ethernet cabling to, you could attach the other DXN-221 node to a coax outlet. In most instances however, customers facing this situation have already resorted to using Wi-Fi for connecting their equipment as most computers and laptops these days ship with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Still, there are those who insist on wired speeds and security. However, because you're using coax cabling, transfer speeds will be limited to roughly 225 Mbit/sec. Although this is theoretically faster than 100 Mbit/sec. Fast Ethernet, it's nowhere near gigabit Ethernet speeds.
We think most people would settle for 802.11n instead of plunking more money down to run cabling over a coaxial connection.
However, if you're still interested, D-Link is selling the DXN-221 kit directly for $156 but retail cost is $239.
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I wonder if it can be used to get free cable internet... lol.Reply
I see no benefit of connecting to another computer through coax. I rather see a TV signal going over ethernet...
An uncle of min build his house with an eye on upcoming technology.
He build ethernet cables in his walls that could be used for anything; including sending audio signals to an amplified monitor, or perhaps getting cable/sattelite signals going through them. -
tenor77 Coax is MUCH cheaper. Not to mention a whole lot easier to wire as those damn clips break so easily. Yes you can put a new connector on but it's a whole lot easier with coax.Reply -
njalterio No, coax is way more expensive. $150 bucks for that thing?Reply
I picked up a 100 ft. ethernet cable from newegg for $15 including shipping. Had no problems running the cable (just sent it along the same path as the coax cable I already had).
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joex444 Pricing scheme fail.Reply
For $150, I could easily live with a cable run along the edge of the floor. Make this cost about the same as WiFi, and now you have an interesting product. The 225Mbps is attractive, in so far as the ports on the device are actually GbE capable but limited to the 225Mbps by use of coax. If they are simple 100Mbps ports, this is less alluring but still a lot better than the WiFi transfer speeds. (I stream and copy data across the network fairly frequently, so this is just as important as the 12/16Mbps Internet connection which is about all WiFi is capable of doing). -
hellwig Unused bandwidth? How well does this device work with digital TV, on demand service, cable internet, and cable phones? I wasn't aware your modern cable line had that much free bandwidth.Reply
Do I risk my network traffic being broadcast out of my house, to the local switch box, and back into my neighbors homes? -
TheViper hellwigUnused bandwidth? How well does this device work with digital TV, on demand service, cable internet, and cable phones? I wasn't aware your modern cable line had that much free bandwidth.Do I risk my network traffic being broadcast out of my house, to the local switch box, and back into my neighbors homes?Coaxial cable has several hundred Mhz of bandwidth. Each cable channel (the Internet is also treated like a channel) is carried over just 6 Mhz each. Plenty of room to work with.Reply
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Shadow703793 njalterioNo, coax is way more expensive. $150 bucks for that thing?I picked up a 100 ft. ethernet cable from newegg for $15 including shipping. Had no problems running the cable (just sent it along the same path as the coax cable I already had).+1. Same thing I did. I spent about $60-70 (including switch, crimps,etc). I have CAT 5 in my entire house, except the kitchen.Reply