Home Phoneline Networking Alliance

HPNA's approach is one of several competing home networking approaches. Others include Ethernet, the powerline protocol, or the Bluetooth standard. Ethernet is a widely-used standard for a local area nework (LAN) that requires each computer to be equipped with an interface card and the installation of thicker cabling. Powerline is a slower data transmission method that uses the home's electrical wiring. Bluetooth uses wireless technology to transmit data between devices within a 30-foot range. In addition to HomePNA, there are other proprietary approaches to home networks using existing phone lines.

The Home Phoneline Networking Alliance is a consortium with over 100 members, including 3Com, AT&T Wireless, IBM, Intel, Compaq, Lucent Technologies, and Hewlett-Packard.

Read more about Home Phoneline Networking Alliance: - The HomePNA Web site provides more information about HPNA. - ZDNet reviews HomePNA 2.0 . - HomePNA 2.0 as a finalist in PC Magazine's 1999 Technical Excellence Awards is another ZDNet story. - The Real Math on Computer Networks @ Home compares several home networking technologies, include HomePNA.

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