Networking devices for the home have become much more workable and adaptable for computer users, than a few years ago. For performance and reliability you can’t beat cat5/6 network cable, but for home computer users this is not usually an option especially if you live in rented accommodation. Typically wireless is the main form of network connectivity in the home and in recent years Powerline adapters (Wall-plugged adapters turning electrical, AC, outlets into Ethernet connections) have been utilized and are becoming more popular especially for wireless dead spots in homes. A new and lesser known network connection device aimed at the home is MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kits.
MoCA is an acronym for Multimedia over Coax Alliance, they are responsible for developing the specification for networking over coax cable.
Coaxial Cable is found in most homes and is standard cable used in connections to TVs, radios, and cable TV.
Speeds are claimed to be up to 270 Mbps BUT the RJ45 Ethernet LAN port on the Coax-Ethernet adapters are 100 Mbps max.
Multiple adapters can be hooked to the same Coax infrastructure and communicate in a mesh like topology on the shared medium (cable). Moca 1.0 chipsets have a limit of 8 devices. The newer devices use Moca 1.1, which have a limit of 16 devices. MoCA 1.0 and 1.1 certified products will work together.
MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kits are usually sold in pairs and the units function as Ethernet to coax bridges. The technology converts regular Ethernet traffic to a Signal that is able to traverse the COAXial wiring infrastructure, sharing the cable with Cable TV, Radio or Regular TV signals. The Each adapter has one RJ45 network LAN port (these are also found at the back of laptops, computers and games consoles, except Wii) and two coax (F-type) connectors. The second coax connector is for passing through whatever is already using the coax cable i.e. cable TV box, so it continues to function as normal.
The following example is how an Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kit can be utilized: A games console is connected to your shiny HDTV but online gaming is laggy and playing HD video files off of the PC to the HDTV through the console is jerky. You don’t have a network connection behind your HDTV, so it seems you’ll have to live with WiFi or Powerline adapters. But by equipping a pair of Coax-Ethernet Adapters, a much better connection could be achievable. The first adapter would plugged into the coax running to your cable modem in your office and the RJ45 port would be connected via cat5 Ethernet cable to the router there. The second adapter is placed behind your HDTV in-line with the coax cable running to your cable TV box and the RJ45 port on the adapter here is connected via cat5 Ethernet cable to the back of your games console. Voil, you’ve got a connection faster and more reliable than WiFi or Powerline.
Availability and Price
These are the weak points for MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kits. Availability is ok in the US and two of the major manufacturers of computer networking equipment produce a kit (a pair).
D-Link DXN-221 MoCA Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit (Moca 1.1)
and
Netgear MCAB1001 – MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kit (Moca 1.1)
Both are around $185. But MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapters can be had for less, Motorola’s NIM100 (Moca 1.0) were one of the first adapters on the market and can be had for less than $120 for a pair on eBay (Motorola does not sell direct to consumers).
MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kits are yet to hit the market in the UK and eBay is also dry. So computers users in the United Kingdom will have to wait and see, as this product is a little more niche than Powerline adapters for example.
Nicholas Milenkovic (Mobile PC Doctor) provides computer services such as computer repairs and network set up to Chelmsford and the Essex area of the UK.
Author: Nicholas Milenkovic
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Creditcard Currency Conversion Fee
Related posts:
