The Future

Intellon's PowerPacket technology is compatible with wireless and HomePNA solutions, making power-line an ideal option to serve as the backbone for a multi-technology home network. In this case, consumers will not have to discard their existing network solutions in favor of a new standard.

The one common thread among all of the networking options is the need for power. While a wireless solution may indeed shun wires, its access point is still going to be plugged in at some point. That power cord, for example, can tie the wireless network into the home's overarching power-line network.

There are two other networking technologies to discuss: phone-line and wireless networks. Click on the title below to go to one of these articles for more information, or proceed to either A Word About Macs or The Future of Home Networking.

• How Phone-line Networking Works
• How Wireless Networking Works

• Back to the beginning: How Home Networking Works

For more information on power-line networking, check out the links on the next page.