Actiontec MegaPlug AV 200 Mbps Ethernet Adapter
Introduction and Product Specifications
When it comes to solid, reliable networking connections, nothing beats copper at the moment. It's not the most convenient, as most people (particularly wives and girlfriends) don't want cables running across the floor, or even jacks in walls throughout the house. That leaves wireless, and although most people have wireless-G at this time, 54 Mbps (when you consider actual throughput) pales in comparison to standard 100 Mbps wired Ethernet. Even when you consider wireless-N, which still hasn't even been fully ratified, and its up to 300 Mbps speed, throughput isn't that fast by any means. Let's not forget the issues with distance and signal drop that exist in both current wireless solutions.
The only other option, short of snaking CAT5 cables inside walls and around your home or office, is powerline networking. It's not new, but only recently have products entered the market which have the potential to meet or even exceed 100 Mbps wired Ethernet. One such product is the Actiontec MegaPlug AV 200 Mbps Ethernet Adapter, which we are evaluating here.
The kit comes with two oversized wall adapters and two Ethernet cables. The idea is simple in concept: you plug one adapter into your router with a cable, then into a wall socket. Next you plug the other adapter into another wall socket and from there run the cable to your PC. Sounds simple? In principal it certainly is.
The only other option, short of snaking CAT5 cables inside walls and around your home or office, is powerline networking. It's not new, but only recently have products entered the market which have the potential to meet or even exceed 100 Mbps wired Ethernet. One such product is the Actiontec MegaPlug AV 200 Mbps Ethernet Adapter, which we are evaluating here.
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Image Courtesy of Actiontec |
The kit comes with two oversized wall adapters and two Ethernet cables. The idea is simple in concept: you plug one adapter into your router with a cable, then into a wall socket. Next you plug the other adapter into another wall socket and from there run the cable to your PC. Sounds simple? In principal it certainly is.
| Standards IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, HomePlug AV Additional Protocols CSMA/CA channel access scheme(upgradeable to TDMA); CO device generates a periodic beacon carrier for channel access scheme Forward Error Correction (FEC) Automatic Channel Adaptation Data Rate PHY Rate: Up to 200 Mbps over standard home power lines and 10/100 Mbps over Ethernet* Operating Range Up to 300 meters in wall power lines Capable of passing through circuit breakers Security 128-bit AES Link Encryption with Key Management Frequency Band 2 MHz – 28 MHz Modulation OFDM Symbol Modulation on Line Synchronization QAM QPSK BPSK ROBO Carrier Modulation CSMA/CA channel access scheme(upgradeable to TDMA); CO device generates a periodic beacon carrier for channel access scheme Forward Error Correction (FEC) Automatic Channel Adaptation Data Rate PHY Rate: Up to 200 Mbps over standard home power lines and 10/100 Mbps over Ethernet* |
QoS Integrated Prioritized Random Access Contention-Free Access Segment Bursting LEDs Power, Link, and Ethernet Power Input 100 to 240V @ 50/60 Hz internal Regulatory Compliance FCC Part 15 Class B UL HomePlug Certification Environmental Ranges Temperature: 0°C to 40°C Humidity: 10% to 90% (Non-condensing) Warranty See Product User Manual Operating Range Up to 300 meters in wall power lines Capable of passing through circuit breakers Security 128-bit AES Link Encryption with Key Management Frequency Band 2 MHz – 28 MHz Modulation OFDM Symbol Modulation on Line Synchronization QAM QPSK BPSK ROBO Carrier Modulation |
