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Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
PowerLine Ethernet Bridge
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the PowerLine Ethernet Bridge. The Bridge will allow you to network better than ever.
How does the Bridge do all of this? The PowerLine Ethernet Bridge lets you turn the existing powerlines in your
home or office into a high-speed network. Now you don’t have to drill through the walls, and climb through the
attic or cellar to install network cables, just use the wires that already run through the building.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers
and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video
games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.
The PowerLine Bridge interfaces Ethernet devices to the HomePlug PowerLine network standard. Just plug the
PowerLine Bridge into the wall, and connect your Ethernet-equipped device to the Bridge using the included
network cable, and you’ve turned your whole house into a network infrastructure. Attach more computers to the
network by simply plugging them into the wall anywhere in the house, using more PowerLine Bridges, or the
Linksys PowerLine USB Adapter.
Once your computers are connected to the network, they can share resources like printers and storage space,
and all kinds of files: music, digital pictures, and documents. With up to 14Mbps data rates, you can play head-to-
head network computer games, too. And if you use a PowerLine Bridge to interface one of the famous Linksys
Broadband Routers from your cable or DSL Internet connection to your PowerLine network, you’ll be able to get to
the Internet from any computer in the house.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Bridge, set it up, and configure it to bridge your different
networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Bridge.