The table below summarizes the comparison between home networking
technologies.
| |
Ethernet |
HomePNA |
HomePlug |
Wi-Fi |
| Topology |
Star |
Bus and daisy-chain |
Bus |
Star |
| Wiring |
Needs new wires |
Uses existing home phone lines |
Uses existing home AC power lines (no new wires) |
Cables are still used for connection to power outlet and broadband modem. |
| Best Use for homes with |
pre-wired Ethernet installation |
a phone jack in every room |
a power outlet in every room (typical) |
no solid stone, concrete or metallic walls/floors |
| Maximum Data Rate |
10 Mbps (10BaseT), 100 Mbps (100BaseT), 1000 Mbps (1000BaseT) |
1 Mbps (HomePNA 1.0), 32 Mbps (2.0), 128 Mbps (3.0) |
14 Mbps (HomePlug 1.0), 200 Mbps (HomePlug AV) |
11 Mbps (802.11b), 54 Mbps (802.11 a/g) |
| Maximum Distance (Coverage) |
Maximum length per cable segment is 100 meters using UTP Cat 5 cable. |
300 meters between two HPNA adapters |
up to 5,000 square foot house, depending on adapter's specification |
100 meters (outdoor), 50 meters (indoor); the longer the distance the slower the connection |
| Required Hardware |
Ethernet adapter in every computer, hub or switch, Cat 5 cables or better with RJ-45 connectors |
HPNA adapter for every computer, wall phone jack, telephone cable with RJ-11 connectors,
USB cable |
HomePlug adapter for every computer, wall power outlet, AC power cord,
USB or Ethernet cable |
Wi-Fi adapter for every computer and access point |
| Reliability |
**** |
*** |
** |
** |
| QoS Support |
no, but can be implemented using higher layer protocol |
yes |
yes |
newer versions that are WMM certified (or 802.11e compliant) |
