Every room has at least one socket – why not use it for Internet access thanks to dLAN? What few people know is called Powerline and sounds very promising for all those who struggle with Internet access problems in their home network. Whether it is the weak WLAN signal arriving or the laying of LAN cables – Powerline bypasses these problem areas and, thanks to dLAN Internet, delivers via the in-house power grid. But what sounds tempting in theory unfortunately turns out to be not that easy in practice. Nevertheless, thanks to high throughput rates and good availability, Powerline can be a real alternative to classic DSL and cable Internet for numerous consumers.
- Powerline is a data transmission technology that uses the household’s existing power grid.
- In reality, the same applies to Powerline once again: gross is not always net!
- As in any network, greater attention should be paid to security and suitable password protection with Powerline.
What is powerline?
Powerline is a data transmission technology that uses the household’s existing power grid. Since access is via the socket with the help of special powerline adapters, it is no longer necessary to equip the house with LAN cables on a large scale or to use radio signals as is the case with WLAN routers . This makes Powerline an alternative that should be seriously examined for consumers who have to struggle with thick walls and ceilings and the associated loss of signal with conventional WLAN radio. However, due to the sometimes considerably fluctuating data transmission rate and strong competition on the Internet access market, Powerline has not yet established itself.
This is how the powerline works
Said Powerline adapter forms the starting point. This realizes a carrier frequency system that uses transmission paths several times and modulates additional carrier frequencies on the power lines laid in the household. In order to gain access to the signals transmitted in the cable, you need an additional powerline adapter that receives signals and demodulates the signal again. From here, the powerline internet signal is transmitted to end devices via a LAN interface at any socket in the circuit. This means that the socket no longer only supplies energy, but thanks to Powerline also data, the transmission rate of which is also in Mbit / s with Powerlinebe measured. With G.hn, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) developed its own standard that achieved a data transmission rate of up to 1 Gbit / s (1000 Mbit / s).
Fluctuating speed with Powerline
In reality, the same applies to Powerline once again: gross is not always net! In most cases, only a fraction of the theoretically achievable transmission rate is actually achieved. This is the case with Powerline as well as with the competition VDSL and vectoring: If the next node – in the case of Powerline the corresponding electricity meter – is a little further away, there are severe losses in Internet speed and line stability. Since Powerline, as already described, uses the household’s power grid, connected devices can sometimes have a very significant impact on performance. From the LED light on the power strip to the vacuum cleaner that is switched on, every household appliance that is powered by electricity can cause fluctuations in the powerline transmission rate and literally dampen the fun of surfing.
As in any network, greater attention should be paid to security and suitable password protection with Powerline. Problems and security gaps can arise, especially with unshielded cables.
Powerline as a sensible alternative
Regardless of the difficulties that powerline technology has to contend with, it is an interesting alternative to traditional access techniques. More and more consumers are realizing this and are including Powerline in the narrower circle of access options. Once set up, Powerline offers almost limitless freedom within the circuit, avoids problem areas of the competition thanks to the existing building services and is also broadly positioned in the field of Powerline adapters. From AVM Fritz to Devolo, a number of manufacturers offer powerline adapters for Internet from the socket.
