Specifications

Introduction

devolo dLAN AVpro manager

1Introduction

This chapter gives you a short overview of the various technologies for dLAN net-

working.

1.1 What is dLAN?

dLAN ("direct LAN") is a high-performance alternative to the two currently

widespread network technologies LAN and WLAN ("Wireless LAN").

dLAN, in contrast to ordinary LAN, requires no specially routed data cables, but

rather uses the cable systems already locally available (mains electricity, TV/SAT

coaxial networks, telephone/two-wire cabling) for very quick, secure and effi-

cient data communication.

1.1.1 dLAN: Costs and transmission quality

Because you do not need any network-specific data cables to operate dLANs,

dLAN is a cost-effective and quickly implemented network technology. Depend-

ing on which transmission medium you use for your dLAN, every mains socket,

coaxial socket or telephone connection socket can serve as a connection to the

network. In this way, dLANs can be easily and comfortably implemented in any

environment.

The technology used in dLAN guarantees that the additional use of the lines by

the dLAN has no repercussions on the additional applications on the respective

lines. Alongside these advantages, dLAN provides a significantly higher transfer

rate than current Fast Ethernet, an increased range and a higher network avail-

ability than all other current WLAN standards.

The data to be transmitted are encoded by the dLAN device for transmission in

the dLAN and modulated in a complex manner in a carrierband, which is trans-

mitted by the dLAN devices over the already locally available lines (optionally

electrical, coaxial or telephone lines) across a distance of many hundreds of me-

tres. This transmission technology for digital data is widespread and reliable. It

is put to use in different forms in many areas.

The data in dLAN is transmitted according to the current "HomePlug AV / IEEE

1901" transmission standard.

Similarly to the familiar "HomePlug 1.0" technology, "HomePlug AV" uses the

household electrical or coaxial/telephone network to transmit data, audio and

video, but provides a higher throughput than "HomePlug 1.0".

"HomePlug AV" supports transfer rates up to 500 Mbps and moreover provides