HomePNA Q & A
Q: What is home networking and how is it enabled across the phone line?
A: Home networking means linking computers, peripherals (e.g., printers, scanners), and consumer electronic devices within your home to form a
connected environment. Phone line networking is a "no new wires" home networking solution. The devices are connected using your existing telephone lines, without causing any interference to normal phone service.
Q: How can I use the network if I am using dial-up to connect to the Internet?
A: HomePNA established a requirement that all current and future technologies (Plain old telephone service (POTS), G. Lite, also known as ADSL, and the home phone line network) are able to operate over the same phone lines simultaneously. They operate at different frequencies without impacting one another, allowing you to network the home using a dial-up connection.
Q: What if I have cable modem broadband coming in on one connection, but I want to network the whole house?
A: Products made to HomePNA standards offer an exciting complement to all broadband Internet access methods. By combining a home phone line-based technology product with, for example, a cable modem, you can share broadband Internet access with all other PCs or devices in the home simply by plugging into the telephone jack with an adapter or network interface card (NIC).
Q: Can I use HomePNA if I already have Ethernet in my home office, but I want to add my kids' bedrooms to the network?
A: HomePNA operates on standard phone line wiring, which is often referred to as CAT 3 wiring. Normally, CAT 5 wiring is installed to enable Ethernet home networking. HomePNA can serve as the exclusive home network or as a complement to another networking protocol. By using an Ethernet-to-HomePNA adapter, you can bridge from the Ethernet network in your home office to, and through, your home phone line to network the entire home.
Q: What if I have a laptop using wireless home networking technology, but I have other desktop computers that don't require wireless mobility?
A: HomePNA is the backbone of the future home network and can be easily combined with other networking technologies. For example, if your laptop is connected to a wireless network in the office, you can network your desktops using HomePNA, and bridge to the wireless network. The advantage of this setup is that adapters for desktops using phone line networking is less expensive, and has Quality of Service (QoS) support, while allowing for mobility with your laptop. QoS enables the HomePNA specification to prioritize data, voice and video traffic delivery based on content, in realtime without disruption.
Q: At what speed does HomePNA operate?
A: The current HomePNA specification (Version 2.0) operates at up to 10mbps, and it is fully backward compatible with the Version 1.0 1Mbps technology. HomePNA is currently working on the next-generation standard that is expected to reach speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Q: What percentage of home consumers can implement home networking over their phone lines?
A: Initial tests indicate that the technology can be successfully installed and operated in more than 99 percent of homes. The 10 Mbps HomePNA solution is designed to operate with computers and devices up to 1,000 feet apart and is ideal for homes up to 10,000 square feet, or 99.5 percent of homes in the U.S.
Q: What types of products are produced through HomePNA and how much do they cost?
A: HomePNA member companies currently produce over 100 Home phone line network-enabled products, including preconfigured PCs, network interface Cards (NICs), USB adapters, network peripherals, gateways, bridges and routers, broadband modems, and internet appliances.
The cost of connecting each HomePNA-enabled device is about $60 per node. A typical two-node home network kit retails for about $100. You can purchase additional NICs and adapters for about $50 each.
Q: What services do you offer for retailers and installers?
A: HomePNA offers technical support for retailers and installers through its Web site. Additionally, retailers can use the pre-sale information materials developed by HomePNA to help their customers gain a better understanding of the HomePNA technology, and what products are needed to set up a home network. Each HomePNA member company also provides product information and technical support through their respective Web sites. Member company URLs can be found on the HomePNA Web site at http://www.homepna.org.
Q: Are HomePNA products available outside the U.S.?
A: Yes, with CE certification awarded in the Fall of 1999, individual HomePNA members are able to promote and market their unique HomePNA-compatible products in parts of Europe and Asia.