HPNA Network + Broadband

[Jem]

I currently have 2 PCs networked on phone lines using Actiontec Actionlink network cards with separate internet access for each PC via a dial-up connection. One PC runs W98; the other Win ME.

I want to move to a broadband internet connection via my cable company (Telewest Blueyonder in the UK) and share the access using a router and keep the 2 PCs networked via the internal phone lines. (I have considered moving to a wireless connection but the 2 PCs are at opposite ends of quite large house and I'm also a bit unsure on the security impacts).

I would welcome advice on what hardware I need to buy. I know I need a router to enable the broadband connection to be shared - but which one and how does it work alongside my existing network connections? I also understand there is a new and faster HPNA standard which works at 10Mb/sec (mine is only 1Mb/sec). Should I upgrade my networking hardware at the same time?

Thanks for your help.

Jem

[Greenstead]

You can get a good cable router+4 port switch from Linksys, or D-Link or Netgear - check their websites.

D-Link do HPNA products:
http://www.dlink.com/products/DigitalHome/Hpna/HomePNA-SetupDiagram.htm

For networking the PCs you might also consider changing to LAN over powerline.
e.g.
http://www.dlink.com/products/powerline/dhp100/

[cszeto]

HPNA 1.0 is interoperable with HPNA 2.0, the overall HPNA network will just default to the lowest denominator (HPNA 1.0).

There are HPNA equipped routers as Greenstead has pointed out, they will typically be running the HPNA 2.0 standard. You may consider getting the router in place first and then consider upgrading the NICs, if you feel that you need some speed improvements.

Powerline or Homeplug are definitely options too, but that will cost you a premium these days when compared to HPNA. I just added a segment to my home network and the performance so far is quite good.

Keep an eye out across the various products to see where the encryption takes place, if you care about that stuff. A lot of the current products will depend on the computer to encrypt the Powerline/Homeplug traffic, which makes encryption very OS dependent and will rob your system of yet more computing resources...