Vesenet 85Mb/s Ethernet (RJ45) to Homeplug Powerline Adapter

HomePlug Powerline networking is based on the concept of 'no new wires'. HomePlug is a standard for using existing electrical power lines in homes and offices to build computer networks.

Essentially Powerline is the Ethernet using power lines instead of network cables for data transmission.

Just plug a HomePlug into a plug socket and attach the outgoing cable into a Ethernet or USB port (depending on the HomePlug option you choose) on your computer. The HomePlug transmits data from your computer over the power lines to another HomePlug located within the same internal power grid establishing a network connection. From the second HomePlug any standard network device (2nd Computer, ADSL Router, Cable Modem, Switch, Hub etc...)

This pack contains 1 HomePlug, a network cable, instruction manual, and Windows software if you wish to use the security feature. These units are sold as singles, you will require at least two to create your network. The image shows front and back views of the units.

HomePlug Powerline products do not need any drivers; the devices you connect to them treat them in the same way they would a network hub or switch. In fact that's the best way to think about HomePlugs: if you have 5 HomePlugs in your house, then your house becomes a 5-port network hub/switch that just happens to have its ports in 5 different rooms. Therefore Linux works fine with HomePlugs, as do other network devices like wireless access points, media centres, IP cameras, etc.

However, in order to initially set up an encrypted network using your own encryption key, you will need to configure this device using the supplied Windows software. This is a one-off job, and is not necessary if you're happy to use the pre-configured encryption key that is set in the units as shipped. If this is a problem, look at the newer (faster) HomePlugs which now ship with a way to create the encryption key using a button on the HomePlug hardware.