Wireless Broadband Faster than HPNA/Ethernet?

While I haven't worked with HPNA before,  I am willing to bet that it runs at 10 Mbps,  and maybe up to 100 Mbps,  but no guarantee there.  I have worked with several places where they tried to save money by not using CAT5 wiring  for their ethernet,  and they had a few locations ( the longer runs from the switches ) where they always had problems of the connecitons dropping.  When they forced the switch ports down to 10 Mbps,  the lines worked solidly,  so considering the HPNA is using standard home phone wiring,  I will almost guarantee that it runs at 10 Mbps (or possibly slower)  and it may only be half duplex (like the wireless speeds most people quote).  Remember that a 54 Mbps wireless connection is only half duplex,  so it only runs at about 25% the rate of most wired 100 Mbps networks since they are typically full duplex.

how fast is your HPNA rated and what wireless standard are you using?  how rated speeds will actual compare to actual speeds in any given situation is often hard to determine in advance -- although wired ethernet (specifically fast ethernet or gigabit is generally the best). 

what are you using the network for?  if it's just for internet sharing, you'll likely never notice the difference as your broadband speed is likely rated very low in comparision

Not sure what they rate the HPNA at since it has basically been discontinued by SBC.  They are planning on offering digital TV though the phone lines here, and are suggesting voluntary upgrades to their faster DSL.  I did the upgrade, but really see no differfence in speed.  I have 3 desktops home networked and want to add the new laptop wirelessly.

SBC advertises their Pro (fastest) speeds at 1.5-3.0 Mbps (downstream) and 384-512 Kbps (upstream). 

My Local Area Connection systray icon always shows 10.0 Mbps.  But when I run various speed tests on several different sites, the numbers are all over the place...never very constant. 

I'm not clear on all these numbers and what I am really connecting at.  I've been setup this way for 6 years now without a problem.  Also, got a new Dell (9100) desktop and pulled the Phoneline NIC from old machine and installed in new one.  Only problem there is it keeps "losing" the connection, then reconnecting...much like what is happening on the wireless laptop (I posted about this without reponse previously). 

Right now, I am just picking up wireless networks in my neighborhood with the new Dell laptop (9300).  Then I read some posts on here about problems with the Intel Pro Wirless 2200BG card and I constantly get dropped.  SBC said that is because the neighbor's signals aren't strong, and having wireless in my house will eliminate the problem.  If this Wireless card has problems, why is Dell offering it?  It was recommended by the Dell sales rep over others.

Sorry for the rambling, but I am new to Wireless and trying to understand it better.  Maybe I would just be better off bridging the 2 gateways for laptop wireless purposes?

did some checking and HPNA 3.0 *should* be comparable to fast ethernet speeds -- although it looks like there is some variation

Just a little background on how I ended up with HPNA...we switched from dial-up to dsl broadband from AT&T.  This was an "experimental" private wireless service connected directly to our phone lines to the home (outdoors), meaning the lines were physically cut from SBC and rerouted to AT&T.  This was then connected to a VCR-sized box in the attic of the detached garage.  Then a rectangular dish was mounted on the side of the garage at eye-level, requiring no line-of-site.  There was no desktop router.  It was MUCH faster than what we have now, but after 9/11, AT&T pulled the system citing security reasons.  We only had it for 2 mos.  So instead of having to buy new wireless cards, I just stayed with the HPNA and got a router for that...not thinking ahead and getting one with wireless capabilities.

I have decided to keep the new router and ditch HPNA.  I upgraded to premium speed, so figure I might as well get what I paid for!

I bought CAT6 cabling which I hope will be fast(er).

Any way to tell what the section of 'yellow' cabling's Cat./speed is?  That's the piece that came with the new router that will connect to my host.

I don't care what kind of connection you have ... no broadband is going to need better than cat5 (which supports 100mpbs 'fast ethernet'.  cat5e will support gigabit.  cat6 supports yet do be specified standards ;p

generally look at the small writing alone the cable to see what the specs are

So, are you saying the Cat6 is NOT good?  Should I go back to Cat5?

The package said it is 2 times the bandwidth for next-gen home networking.  Just thought I would be prepared for the future?

 

Checked the yellow cabling as you suggested...it is Cat5 UTP, ETL verified.

Message Edited by spddemun on 10-23-2005 01:52 AM

no, cat6 is good ...  it's just probably not worth the cost considering that cat5 can handle 100mbps connections fine.  cat5e can generally speaking handle 1000mbps connections.  your broadband connection is likely 5mbps or lower ...  so unless your pushing a ton of data (with gigabit networking cards) between LOCAL computers on your network, you'll never need the cat6.

but it definitely won't hurt anything :)

Great, thanks!  It was actually less expensive than the Cat5, and a good brand that I found at BBuy (needed 12+ ft.).  Now problem is I will have to find someone to drill through the wall (got a cable tube from the Shack) so as I don't get electrocuted.  For now, I guess it will be going down the hall against the wall.:smileyhappy:

Which brings me to another thought...I bought 25 feet (need about half that if going through the wall)...so is it OK to circle-loop/twistie-tie up any excess (once it goes through wall)?  That won't cause a performance problem, will it?

i mean, don't loop it too tight, but I think you'll be fine