Go back to the Configuration tab and check to see if a network protocol is showing, such

Chapter 8 ✦ Using Alternative Cabling Methods Looking at power line networking Power line networks have solved earlier problems with interference and speed. As little as 3 years ago, you could expect speeds of only 350 Kbps with your power line networks. Now, depending on the technology you use and the specific power line network, you can expect data transmission speeds of 1 Mbps up to 12 Mbps. However, some problems with using your power lines still exist. The noise ratio is often high, which limits not only the number of computers you can attach to the network but affects the data transfer over the network as well. However, some companies have developed new tech- nologies to speed the transmission of data over power line networks. Linksys, for example, uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing OFDM. OFDM simply means that several signals of different frequencies combine to form the signal for data transmission. When looking for a power line network, make sure the networking devices have the following: ✦ Are approved by the HomePlug Powerline Alliance. The alliance is an organization that certifies products to work in most homes — safely and efficiently. For more information about the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, see www.homeplug.org. ✦ Uses 56-bit encryption for security. ✦ Guarantee that if power line characteristics change during a session, the product con- tinues to provide a good network connection. Looking at power line products Many power line products are available for use in your home. Many of the manufacturers that produce products for Ethernet, wireless, and phone line networking also make products for power line products. Following are some of the more popular ones. If you can use an adapter for Ethernet, you can usually use it for Linux as well. The problem you’ll find is in the drivers; but power line products do not always need drivers. Use bridges and USB adapters for Linux or Macs. Power line networking data signals cannot pass through electrical transformers without being changed. Therefore, data signals become unreadable when the building connects to the regional power grid. If you’re the only occupant of a building, your data is safe from peo- ple down the street. However, if you’re in an office, apartment, or condo, other occupants might be on your side of the electrical transformer; so if they plug a power line networking device into their wall socket, they could read your data. NeverWire 14 OX-201 Phonex Broadband Corporation makes a HomePlug-compliant device called NeverWire for the Macintosh or PC to use the bandwidth of standard electrical wiring. You can attach multiple computers to your power lines, share peripheral devices, play games, and share the Internet. Since NeverWire uses no software drivers, the device supports both the Mac and Windows systems: Mac 8.6 and up including Mac OS X, TCPIP, and AppleTalk. Caution Tip Part II ✦ Planning and Setting Up Networking — Hardware and Software Linksys’ Instant PowerLine USB Adapter Linksys makes an adapter that enables you to plug your PC or notebook into your existing USB port. The adapter then connects to the power line and enables you to share data, printers, and the Internet access of your choice. The adapter includes software that installs drivers; the adapter is also Plug and Play, so it’s easy to install. The Instant PowerLine USB Adapter enables speeds up to 12 Mbps. You can plug multiple PCs into the USB port, install the software, and network another computer easily. The adapter is compatible with Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP. Cost is around 100. GigaFast Ethernet’s HomePlug USB Adapter Wall Mount Similar to the Linksys USB Adapter, the GigaFast Ethernet HomePlug USB adapter enables you to create your network using your existing power lines. With speeds up to 14 Mbps over home power lines, this USB adapter uses standard encryption, has an estimated range of 900 feet in wall, and hangs on the wall to make the connection site neater and easier. Cost is around 100. Any USB adapter or bridge, such as this one, is compatible with any computer with a USB port, whether the computer is running Windows, Mac operating systems, or a Linux system. NETGEAR’s XE102 adapter NETGEAR makes an adapter that plugs directly into the wall power socket and requires no drivers. Using this adapter, you can share an Internet connection, transfer files, and play games. Because there are no drivers, you can use the NETGEAR XE102 adapter in a PC or a Mac. You can also use the adapter with a network printer or Xbox, if you need to. You need one adapter per network device, at around 80 per adapter. IOGEAR’s HomePlug Ethernet Bridge The HomePlug Ethernet Bridge enables you to connect your computers over the power lines and bridge your power line network to an Ethernet network. The device has a 10100Base-T adapter, so you can connect it to a network switch or router that is connected to your Ethernet network. Looking at Virtual Private Networks Virtual private network VPN describes a network between two or more computers that com- municate securely over a public network. The network is private but has limited public network access. VPNs often connect one computer to a private network, such as a clientserver network at your workplace. VPNs can also connect one private LAN to another, as in server to server. VPNs include strong authentication and encryption. They also mask information about the pri- vate network topology from hackers on the Internet. VPNs are very safe. There are two ways to create a VPN connection: gateway to gateway and host to host. A gateway is a device — such as a router, switch, or even a computer — that enables the connection between two other computers. The gateway can be considered a bridge between networks. The host is the device — usually a computer — that has the VPN software installed. Windows 2000 and XP have the VPN host software already installed. If you use a network at work and would like to connect to that network, ask your boss about VPN networking. For your home network, however, you have other much easier methods of network- ing to use.