Phoneline Networking Solutions

Intel offers a product it calls the AnyPoint Home Network, which allows users to connect PCs by plugging them into a home's existing phone jacks. And, says Intel, you can still make and receive phone calls while printing, accessing files, or playing multi-player games across the AnyPoint Home Network. Originally released in 1Mbps versions designed for connection via USB or a PC's parallel port, the company in July 2000 released an improved USB version of the AnyPoint Home Network boasting data transmission speeds up to 10Mbps.

Intel offers a product it calls the AnyPoint Home Network, which allows users to connect PCs by plugging them into a home's existing phone jacks. And, says Intel, you can still make and receive phone calls while printing, accessing files, or playing multi-player games across the AnyPoint Home Network. Originally released in 1Mbps versions designed for connection via USB or a PC's parallel port, the company in July 2000 released an improved USB version of the AnyPoint Home Network boasting data transmission speeds up to 10Mbps. That's 180 times faster than a 56 kilobits-per-second modem.

(Disclaimer: these are peak speeds. In practical use, there are always overheads to be considered. For example, when using the Windows Explorer to copy a file over the network, you have the overhead of the operating system and the network data transmission protocol to contend with. Generally, figures less than half the theoretical maximum rate are achievable in real-world applications. However, Intel Home Networking product manager Dan Sweeney told PC Buyer's Guide that the hardware is capable of transfer rates of 16Mbps, therefore 10Mbps is close to the actual throughput.)

Let's say you have just built a new home with five bedrooms. Each bedroom has outlets for cable and telephone. Three or four of the bedrooms will have computers in them and there is a fourth or fifth computer in the library with a internet connection thru fibre optic cable. The AnyPoint provides you with an easy way to network these four or five computers so that they will be able to access the internet thru the library computer. Best of all, is it possible to do so without having to cut holes in the walls and snake new cables and outlets along the walls. You simply use available phone lines within the house as network cabling. Remarkably, the system doesn't conflict with standard operation of the telephone, either. You can be talking on the phone or sending a fax, dialing a modem, etc., while using the AnyPoint network.

The AnyPoint Home Network is available in Radio Shack outlets and other computer retailers across the country. Intel, until Sept. 30, 2000, is offering a free parallel port adapter to purchasers of any AnyPoint phoneline adapters. The 10Mbps systems, says Intel, are backward compatible with the older 1Mbps adapters. Thus, you can buy a less-expensive 1Mbps adapter (the parallel model sells for under US$50) for less frequently used computers in your home on which data throughput is not as important. Don't want an external unit? Intel also sells internal PCI card versions of the AnyPoint Home Network phoneline system. 3Com, NetGear and D-Link also offer a range of phoneline networking products providing internal, PCI-connected phoneline network solutions.