Networking over Power Lines?

[aggiedude]

Alright heres the deal:
Dad is opening up to giving us internet in our rooms because of us fighting over the one internet computer in the house now he is recieving a loaded server which we will install XP on that will make us have enough computers for every teenager in the house. The only issue is that he wants it to be wired networking instead of wireless because he can control it better. So our house is not quite wired with Cat5 (only from upstairs study to downstairs) heck our house isn't even properly wired for phones (the builder got us with that one) so I was looking into the Networking over Power Lines option such as this nice one I found at tigerdirect: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=924802&CatId=204

Now I am curious if anyone has any experince with such a system and would suggest it or not? Just looking for some second opinions.

Regards,
aggiedude

[Robert]

Wireless Internet will give him the control he wants, as long as he invests in a router that supports those features (ie. parental controls, limit time/day when access can be granted to said computer).

With that said, a couple of my friends have networked their home with powerline adapters and they really like it. They even were able to network their home and their neighbors home together using the technology and it works decent enough they can transfer documents between each other.

[aggiedude]

Wireless Internet will give him the control he wants, as long as he invests in a router that supports those features (ie. parental controls, limit time/day when access can be granted to said computer).

With that said, a couple of my friends have networked their home with powerline adapters and they really like it. They even were able to network their home and their neighbors home together using the technology and it works decent enough they can transfer documents between each other.

We have a DLINK router that does inable him to do that but when he cut me off the network (odd bc it was his idea for me to buy the adapter) I started connecting next door for about a year. I got caught and so now he doesen't wanna do wireless stuff. We will still have it 4 his laptop and my mothers but other than that he likes things wired. Thanks for hte input!

[Wojtek]

Wireless Internet willie. parental controls, limit time/day when access can be granted to said computer
Or wait for vista, amazing parental control on that one :)

[aggiedude]

Or wait for vista, amazing parental control on that one :)

If it was up to me I would do the vista route but my dad is not one to adopt an OS so quickly. He waits a year or so for at least a service pack or 2.

[Decker]

LOL - PDU networking is actually old hat, started about 1978, never got any better really.

Wireless is much better, but as you say someone close has an open connection so limiting you to one will not exclude the other.

Use the wireless option and PKE to secure it.

[Robert]

If it was up to me I would do the vista route but my dad is not one to adopt an OS so quickly. He waits a year or so for at least a service pack or 2.

Vista hasn't been released yet. But I'm like your dad.

[Robert]

LOL - PDU networking is actually old hat, started about 1978, never got any better really.

Wireless is much better, but as you say someone close has an open connection so limiting you to one will not exclude the other.

Use the wireless option and PKE to secure it.

The new Powerline networking method is much more advanced and stable. Infact I'm thinking of doing it myself in some areas of the house that I don't want to run an AP.

[Decker]

It has came on Robert I do agree and is a very convenient system but still a bit shaky, you have to take into account all the factors of the whole household power supply system (well cabling basically) and the local grid as it all effects the whole performance, it's a tricky one to judge and quite expensive as it was never really taken up as a major option for domestic or commercial use.
Its still induction based and limited to that so really can be interfered with by a number of simple (and very low cost) methods and just as easily tapped if it's not secured properly.
Wireless is much cheaper and easier to distribute & secure.

[aggiedude]

Just so everyone knows Wireless is not even an option for me. We have had some ppl in my family connect to the next door neighbors network and thus get internet 24/7 that there ruins the whole security. Now maybe on my brother and sisters computers he can lock everything up but my computer is my computer and I have put money, blood, sweat, and tears into it and its mine to run, not his.

[Robert]

Just so everyone knows Wireless is not even an option for me. We have had some ppl in my family connect to the next door neighbors network and thus get internet 24/7 that there ruins the whole security. Now maybe on my brother and sisters computers he can lock everything up but my computer is my computer and I have put money, blood, sweat, and tears into it and its mine to run, not his.

It doesn't matter, it's in his house, so it's his.

[aggiedude]

It doesn't matter, it's in his house, so it's his.

Its in his house so its his consent to give me internet on it however every piece of my computer down to the smallest screw I paid for.

[Robert]

Its in his house so its his consent to give me internet on it however every piece of my computer down to the smallest screw I paid for.

It doesn't matter that you paid for it. He's his. If you're a minor, it's his.

[utcrazy]

It's his power and his house (physical location) His food, his water, you get the picture. The physical computer may be yours, but him allowing you to use his power, his decision.

[aggiedude]

Alright you guys this is way off topic i would apreciate only recieving replies on the topic above. My dad and I have a relationship to where he understands its my computer however he is not afraid to take the power cord, utcrazy has posted exactly how my dad runs everything he can take away the power and internet but not my phyisical computer. However if anyone else has comments regarding the TOPIC I POSTED please feel free to do so. Do Not keep this whole who owns what battle going as it is not your issue and you are technically butting into my personal life which I do not apriciate.

Regards,
aggiedude

[Decker]

Just like any system, your machines access (not your machine just the internet access) is governed by the 'provider', I don't think anyone meant to invade your private life, just giving opinions on reasons for usage.
So back as you requested, I've installed and used PDU routers and they work if the rest of the electrical system is robust, but if as you say the house wiring isn't 100% then forget that method.
Also it's very insecure, with the correct software tools and basically a Pringles crisps tube I could isolate your raw network packets and decode them to see exactly what you were doing and gain personal details, also I could with some other very simply built hardware inject my own signals.
Wireless is a good deal stronger on the security side, but since you've been stopped once and cought out 'hijacking' another users wireless connection I can understand why you don't have that option anymore.
Your last real option is wired, so there it is.