NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless Router WNR854T User Manual
6-18 Fine-Tuning Your Network
v1.1, January 2007
•Powerline
For connecting rooms or floors that are blocked by obstructions or are distant vertically,
consider networking over your building’s AC wiring. NETGEAR’s Powerline HD family of
products delivers up to 200 Mbps to any outlet, while the older generation XE family of
products delivers 14 Mbps or 85 Mbps. Data transmissions are encrypted for security, and you
can configure an individual network password to prevent neighbors from connecting.
The Powerline HD family of products can coexist on the same network with older generation
XE family products or HomePlug 1.0 products, but they are not interoperable with these
older products.
•Wired Ethernet
Your WNR854T incorporates a gigabit-speed (10/100/1000 Mbps) Ethernet switch. As
Gigabit Ethernet ports become common on newer computers, wired Ethernet remains a good
choice for speed, economy, and security. Gigabit Ethernet can extend up to 100 meters with
twisted-pair wiring of CAT-5e or better. A wired connection is not susceptible to interference,
and eavesdropping would require a physical connection to your network.
Assessing Your Speed Requirements
Because your Internet connection is likely to operate at a much lower speed than your local
network, faster local networking technologies may not improve your Internet experience.
However, many emerging home applications require high data rates. For example:
• Streaming HD video requires 10 to 30 Mbps per stream. Because latency and packet loss can
disrupt your video, plan to provide at least twice the capacity you need.
• Streaming MP3 audio requires less than 1 Mbps per stream and does not strain most modern
networks. Like video, however, streaming audio is also sensitive to latency and packet loss, so
a congested network or a noisy link can cause problems.
Note: Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors,
including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and
network overhead, can lower actual data throughput rate.