If you have computers spread across the house, then power line networking is
a cheap and easy way to connect your computers. Rather than having a direct
wire connection between each computer, computers are connected to a special
power adapter in your power outlet, and data is then transferred between
computers via the power lines already existing in your home.
There are two main competitors in the power line networking field. One is
Intelogis, which offers its Passport technology to connect computers together.
The other is Intellon, whose technology is called Power Packet.
The two cost about the same, and are about the same quality although Power
Packet is somewhat faster than Passport. Passport products generally connect to
your computer through the parallel port (the same place your printer is hooked
up), while Power Packet products connect either through USB or Ethernet ports.
Deciding which of these two solutions to use is entirely up to you. The cost
is generally between $60 and $80 for either one to connect two computers. (Cost
increases if you wish to connect more than two computers via this method).
Installation is simple. You must install the software that allows the
computer to recognize the new connections onto your computer, then simply plug
in the cables into either your parallel port or your USB port. These cables
then plug into a special power adapter that is plugged into your power outlet.
Once cables have been connected on both computers, you are able to set up your
LAN.
Power line networking also allows for the connection of a printer through
the power lines. This is particularly useful with Intelogis’s product, as it
can be difficult to hook up your printer if you only have one parallel port on
each machine.