Powerline Networking

[hamesy]

I've recently started to look at Powerline Networking and looking at how it works. However, I can't find any useful resources on how it actually works and infrastructure behind the technology. The only information I can really find about it is that it uses the power cables and that you need an adaptor. However I'm left with several questions.

It seems to me that PowerPacket is used to transmit the data across the power cables, but how to the adaptor recognise the different between data and general power spikes?

A concern that I have is that data that is sent across the power cables can be seen from outside your house or building. How is the network terminated to stop this from happening?

Any information or resource will be a great help.

 

[hamesy]

So basically the same mechanisms are in place with for instance Cat 5 cable are the same in Powerline networking?

 

[hamesy]

I wouldn't worry about the security, i saw a test once on an unsecured powerline network and the house next door could see the connection but it wasn't strong enough to get data off.

However most powerline adapters come with encrytion software, add that to the fact that it's not a physically open network means its much much more secure than wireless.

Basically each plug has its own code, you can tell individual plugs to only communicate with plugs that have been authorised.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. My concern was that my neighbours could see data on my network.