Broadband over power lines and free software
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband_over_power_lines
These are boxes that one can plug in, uh, "those electricity holes in the walls that provide electrical current",
and that have an Ethernet output over power lines.
Basically, one can plug this near the box, plug the Ethernet cable from the box to it,
and plug another one somewhere else in the house, and plug the Ethernet output to the PC,
to reach better connections speeds.
The inherent issues of such devices aside (possible security issues since encryption is provided; waves perturbations or something...),
it seems sometimes some software is provided to monitor the speeds,
but also to encrypt the data.
A button on each device can be pressed so both sync together and encrypt the data coming through,
but since a software exists, I wondered if there was also a free-software that can control such devices.
It seems they can also receive firmware updates to make'em speedier. I doubt it's free software...
But I suppose I worry for nothing since I don't have to install anything on my PC, and I should treat such devices like the internet box.
I was thinking of getting a set of these myself, as it is the only way to get reliable internet upstairs. The software on these devices is, like you suspected, most likely proprietary and should be avoided if you can avoid it. If you accept the fact that your router software is proprietary or if there just isn't another way, just make sure you encrypt your internet traffic and you'll be fine.
These are viable solutions within the same rural (low voltage) area - it works particularly well within the same building (as a LAN). The bottom line is, within the same rural distibution (LV) segment you can set up your own LAN and MAN. This part is interesting for consumers.
OTOH, high frequency signals can't get past transformers, so repeaters at each transformer boundary should be used for broader access plans. This is where cable operators step in. I.e. for a larger network (e.g. internet access, or connecting company branches distibuted throughout the city) you will need an operator service. Thus, for regions beyond local LV distribution area, it becomes an internal technology of the operator, transparent to user. So this part is interesting to operator companies.
The last paragraph in the reference wikipedia page, aka "Real Plug and Play Last Mile Communications System" sounds fishy. It claims a lot of features denying physical/electrical laws. It is like an "engine running off water". Well, maybe, but it begs for a detailed scientific explanation. If someone claims that he has invented a water-running engine, but doesn't give out scientific details, then it is fishy. So is the so called "Last Mile" system. Actually the reference link to the paragraph leads to the vendor's site, so I assume that paragraph was hacked into wikipedia entry by the vendor itself.
Wikipedia... :)
My internet box has a router integrated (probably like most boxes), but I can put it in bridge mode and use the modem only (and use a libre router).
So, since the modem and the BCL can't be avoided (but the router can be), at least they don't imply using non-free software on our PCs.
But then at the minimum, as you say, encryption is mandatory.
To illustrate what such a software does, here's one called Cockpit from Devolo:
In addition to numerous status displays, such as the connection quality of the individual dLAN® adapters, the intuitively operated program also offers control over encryption and configuration. With targeted tips and other useful features, a software wizard provides for optimisation of the transmission rate in the dLAN® network and enables adapter updates over the network.
Some more:
Configure the devolo devices as usual:
Start dLAN® Cockpit.
Enter the security IDs of all dLAN® adapters.
Assign the shared network password.
Now, assign the other HomePlug devices the same password as the dLAN® devices according to the manufacturer‘s instructions.
I got more info from Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faL8evtPBJs).
Changing the default password (since there's a slim chance of the emitted waves to allow access from outside, if I understood that right) and getting firmware updates would be nice though (EDIT: not convinced at all regarding firmware updates).
But I suppose it's overkill.
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