Free AR: Diamond HomeFree USB PhoneLine Networking Card

[superlie]

I'm looking for the least expensive way to build my home network. Found this:

Diamond HomeFree USB PhoneLine Networking Card free AR at Buy.com.

Also Diamond HomeFree PNA PCI Desktop is free AR too. Dunno about the quality though. here.

LMK if this is a good deal.

 

[MisterPresident]

About phone line networking, does any one know how it works? Do you need a router, hub and the works, or do you just plug the card in and go. Also, the speed rating was 1 Mbps. This seems slow, with the 10/100 standard today. However, it is free, and that is a good price. I might want to set up a phoneline network, as I am not one that enjoys the sight of Cat 5e cables, and I don't have the $$ to go wireless.

 

[TheDuk]

But....(the big but)....the rebates expired 3/31/02.

PCIrebate

USB rebate

 

[Soong]

man if the rebates were valid i'd be all over this like well...like something on something...

 

[frankqfrank]

damn expired rebates

 

[MoMeanMugs]

At least he lives up to his username. It's not free after rebate.

 

[Souka]

<< About phone line networking, does any one know how it works? >>



HPNA 2.0 is pretty kewl. Great alternative to running CAT5 cable to all the rooms. There was an article on Toms Hardware or Anandtech that comapred HPNA 2.0/802.11b (w/0,40,128bit encrypt), 10mb and 100mb ethernet.
HPNA was around 12mb throughput
10mb-ethernet was around 8mb throughput
802.11b was like 6mb/4mb/3mb for encryption levels of 0/40bit/128bit

Unfortunately, HPNA 1.0 is best avoided......spend a few bucks and get something that will last.

 

[Crump]

I agree HPNA 2.0 is the way to go. Do not get ANY HPNA 1.0 products, 2.0 is far more advanced for not much more $$$.

It took me a while to set up my home phone line network. Technically, you don't need any routers or anything. A lot of these HPNA cards have incompatibilites with WinXP and Win2000. I learned this after many trial and error with various cards, since there is only 1 HPNA 2.0 chipset out there, and all the cards are based on it. When it works, though, it works great.

What I did was take 2 10/100 PIC NIC cards and put them in PC#1. To one, I connected my cable modem. To the other, I connected a HPRO200 linksys router, but I am just using it as a ETHERNET/HOMEPNA bridge. It was actually cheaper then the bridge, go figure. In this setup it doesn't use ANY of the router functions, as I found this slowed down my online gaming immensly. Out of that bridge (router), it goes in to the wall and then any PC can use it with a phoneline card.

I think the chipset incompatibilies are the results of certain chipsets, probably VIA related because it works fine on an intel chipset motherboard. It is a well documented problem.

 

[superlie]

Sorry guys, I didn't check the rebate first. I'll be careful next time. BTW, thanks for all the techy info.