High-Speed Internet via electrical outlets 1

[BJCooperIT]

Get me an extension cord!

Click here

^{Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw}
Consultant/Custom Forms & PL/SQL - Oracle 8i & 9i - Windows 2000

 

[chiph]

There's a neighborhood somewhere here in the Raleigh-Durham area where Progress Energy is testing this in conjunction with Earthlink.

Pros:
[tab]- Symmetric service (same upload & download speeds)
[tab]- Possibly cheaper than DSL or cablemodem
[tab]- No bundling (you only get the good rate if you buy the unlimited long-distance calling plan or five premium channels)

Cons:
[tab]- Still a shared resource -- your neighbors might be network pigs and eat all the bandwidth.
[tab]- If the power goes out, even if you have a big UPS, you still lose network connectivity.

Chip H.


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[sleipnir214]

I'm wondering how easy it will be to eavesdrop on the data. Power lines, typically, are not shielded.

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TANSTAAFL!!

 

[Dimandja]

If the power goes out, even if you have a big UPS, you still lose network connectivity.

I think I'd rather lose the network: a small annoyance.

I'm wondering how easy it will be to eavesdrop on the data.

BPL (Broadband on Power Lines) advocates claim WIFI is more porous.

Dimandja

 

[CajunCenturion]

I think this is just another case of

"power to the people"


Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[DrJavaJoe]

If the power goes out, even if you have a big UPS, you still lose network connectivity.
So currently do you find yourself still browsing Tek-Tips while the powers out?

"Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'."

 

[CajunCenturion]

Actually, yes DrJavaJoe. Electrical power can relatively easily be replaced with batteries and/or generators. But internet connectivity is a different matter. You may still want to have the Cable or DSL connection available in that case.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[DrJavaJoe]

Don't get me wrong I see the disadvantage, I'm just picturing this group setting around at home in the dark answering threads.

"Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'."

 

[lionelhill]

Not good news if you happen to have any reliance on radio transmissions and live anywhere near someone doing this. I can't think of a better way to create radio interference than put a radio-frequency signal on a wire suspended by poles right outside my house.

(yes, yes, I know, the people selling the idea say it doesn't do that, but people selling ideas aren't always the best source of information on down-sides...)

 

[BJCooperIT]

Is data degradation a real possibility by this method?

^{Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw}
Consultant/Custom Forms & PL/SQL - Oracle 8i & 9i - Windows 2000

 

[sleipnir214]

The article does mention that the power companies have to bypass transformers and install repeaters.



With this technology, I have this dread that my BPL adapter or the broadband powerline-tap it connects to will short out. Then instead of your computer's receiving a digital signal of a few volts at a few milliamps, it recieves a 60Hz analog signal of a few thousand volts at a few amps.

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TANSTAAFL!!

 

[Dimandja]

sleipnir214: Then instead of your computer's receiving a digital signal of a few volts at a few milliamps, it recieves a 60Hz analog signal of a few thousand volts at a few amps.

Calls for real firewalls; complete with fire extinguishers.

Dimandja

 

[sleipnir214]

Dimandja:

Calls for real firewalls; complete with fire extinguishers.

You are too right.

I once had a client that had a laser printer in the corner of a glassed-in porch. Lightning struck that part of the building and went to ground through that printer. The printer was okay except for the scorching on the case -- it was one of those indestructible HP LaserJet II printers.

The computer to which that printer was connected had a daughter-card printer controller. When the lightning struck, enough current went through that card to vaporize part of the main controller IC. A triangle-shaped piece about 1/3 inch on each side was blown off the face of the chip.


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TANSTAAFL!!

 

[bluedragon2]

The thing I like about this idea is that I am not dependant on other services to get my intermet access. I only use my phone line for internet access. I use my cell phone for everything else. I do not have cable, nor do I want it. It would be nice to be able to not have the phone line also.

I would worry about power spikes and such though. (This from as a kid stuck a bobbie pin in a socket to charge it up as I was shooting my brothers as they were getting ready for a date ) Yes, it was shocking...

[Blue]Blue[/Blue] [Dragon]

If I wasn't Blue, I would just be a Dragon...

 

[manarth]

A network connection over some cables? Been there, done that...

I'm waiting for power over wireless

<marc> i wonder what will happen if i press this...[ul][li]please tell us if our suggestion has helped[/li][li]need some help? faq581-3339[/li][/ul]

 

[lionelhill]

That's been done, too. If you live close enough to a major transmitter and put up a big enough aerial, you can power a lightbulb. But it's at cost of cutting out thousands of people's radio reception, so the transmitter people tend to be a bit uppity about it...

 

[infinitelo]

Im excited about the potential of net over powerlines. I work for a chain of quick shops scattered accross rual oklahoma. A lot of small towns dont even have dial up right now.

if it is to be it's up to me

 

[Dimandja]

I don't know why testers liked BPL. But, I think many of us here snicker because power has been a thorny issue the history of computers. I mean we have to buy expensive surge protectors, UPS and, fried computer chips are everywhere.

In that light, I think introducing BPL will probably engender clean electrical supply as a by-product. So, we may well be witnessing the birth of 2 industries, not one.

Dimandja