The last time an Actiontec product passed through our hardware testing lab, it was the VoIP Phone Wizard for Skype. The company is back again with another networking device, this time around being its HomePlug Networking Kit, which allows for local area connections to be established over standard residential electrical systems.

Until recent years and the advent of wireless technologies, the only way to shuttle date around your home was outdated wired networks. However, the average computer user is typically at a complete loss when it comes to wireless networks, especially in regards to the various standards and security methods. Entire books are dedicated to 802.11b alone! Paired with continuous news reports about the insecurity of wireless networks, consumers are often afraid of the technology.

To be honest, wireless networking can be a major annoyance when someone simply wants to share data between two desktop computers. The obvious solution would be to grab a couple of CAT5 cables and a hub, or even just a crossover cable, but that is not always the ideal solution. Take the average home for example. It is more than likely the home is not pre-wired for networking, meaning the homeowner must undertake the tedious task of routing CAT5 cable, which can be an expensive and laborious process in a large or multi-level residence.

Hoping to resolve this issue, the industry churned out the HomePNA standard a few years back. The idea was to route local area networks across existing residential copper phone lines, but the end product failed to capture any appreciable market share. The market and need both existed, thus networking firms went back to their drawing boards. Engineers quickly realized nearly every room in a house has an electrical outlet, but not a phone jack, thus the failure of HomePNA. The solution arrived in the form of HomePlug, which allows for networking across readily available power lines.

Actiontec HomePlug Networking Kit

The Actiontec HomePlug networking kit arrives in a standard retail box. Inside are the two electrical transceiver devices, two CAT5 patch cables, an installation CD, and a rather lame excuse for a quick install guide – just four pages! Being a network device, an actual printed manual could be useful for inexperienced computer users, which is the exact demographic this kit is targeting. Luckily an extensively more thorough and well-authored manual is included on the installation CD, but it would have been nice if the quick start guide would mention that fact.

Getting beyond the documentation, the actual hardware is well constructed. The shell of each device is a thick mold plastic casing that should easily withstand daily abuse, even if occasionally moving the adapters between various rooms. As for the internal hardware, it is sparse and minimalistic, but a HomePlug adapter is a rather simplistic device anyway.

Device Installation

Installation proved easy enough. Plug in the adapters, hook the cables up to your 10/100 networking devices (one to a network card, the other to a router or hub), and you are good to go. The device is completely transparent, but it is still recommended to install the accompanying Actiontec HomePlug configuration software. The utility provides the ability to utilize 56-bit DES encryption with password protection. Odds are a home LAN is never going to be hacked, especially when the snooper would need his own HomePlug adapter to connect, but why not enable an additional layer of security if possible?

Network Performance

The HomePlug networking standard limits communications to a peak throughput of 14Mbps, which will certainly not break any data transfer records. Our testing showed the actual bandwidth to be much closer to the 6Mbps range. Either way, transferring large files will be annoying, but the connection is more than capable of handing Internet connection sharing and even the occasional LAN game. Up to 16 adapters can be installed to a single network, but expect performance to quickly diminish above three to four active users.

Signal Range

The trade-off for performance is range. Actiontec claims its HomePlug kit is capable of 300-meter connections. The adapter’s networking signal can pass through circuit breakers, but not through power transformers. In fact, the signal will not even pass through most surge protectors. Still, the range is more than adequate for home or small office use, and the system proved viable in every room of our test environment: a 3000 square feet single story home. As to potential signaling conflicts, Actiontec indicates its HomePlug devices operate on a frequency that will not disrupt other power line control standards, such as X-10, CEBus, or LONworks.

Note, the HomePlug networking signal could in theory be passed to an adjoining home if both dwellings are connected to a single transformer, thus enabling the 56-bit security layer is strongly advised if you have a tech-savvy neighbor. The problem increases by an order of magnitude for people living in apartments and other close quarters, so proper security is a definite must.

Final Thoughts

As with any product, the Actiontec HomePlug networking kit has both positives and negatives. To its advantage the kit is simple to install and use, plus represents a great solution for existing homes and those worried about the security pitfalls and restrictive range of consumer-grade wireless technologies.

As for negatives, there is one glaring problem: the price. The kit has a suggested retail price of $129, and online vendors are holding right at that level. Widespread retail availability could also be another concern depending upon consumer acceptance, but Actiontec products are readily available from its online store, assuming you do not mind the delays associated with online ordering and shipping.

Overall, the Actiontec HomePlug networking kit serves a purpose, but the actual value of the package varies greatly depending upon the networking knowledge and experience of the user. At $129 it is not a bargain in situations where wireless networks would prove favorable, yet at the same time it is a good buy for someone with little computer knowledge or environments where running CAT5 is not viable.

Pros: Simple installation Works as advertised Cons: High retail price

Overall Rating: 8.0/10 (higher is better) Manufacturer Info: Company:   Actiontec Pricing:      $129.00