Anyone know where to find a HomePNA ethernet bridge for retail?

[edmicman]

I want to share an ethernet connection (DSL) over a phoneline, via HomePNA (HPNA 2.0), which lets you network over phonelines. It is basically to connect two locations that share a phoneline. I've determined that I need an "hpna ethernet bridge", which would basically convert an existing ethernet network to a phoneline network. Does *anyone* know of a place to buy something like this?

D-Link and linksys both show products a few years back that did this, but they aren't available anymore. I've found some resources that mention products, but I can't find any freakin' place to *buy* them. Even ebay has *nothing*. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[StormRider]

Unfortunately, they are almost impossible to find now. I forgot the exact model numbers but I have 3 HPNA units that can function as a bridge. I'm currently using them as bridges now.

I have a Netgear combo HPNA/Ethernet router (RP311??) in my basement functioning as a HPNA/Ethernet bridge between my basement and upstairs room. In my room I have a dedicated Netgear HPNA bridge to one of my computers.

I also have a Linksys HP200(?) combo HPNA that I am planning to use as a bridge to another room that will house some networked printers.

I remember the Linksys as being a little flakey. It was my first HPNA router. Soon afterwards I bought the Netgear unit and it worked really well.

Since then I've added wireless G and powerline networking so my home network is a combination wirelessG, powerline, and phoneline networking.

I'm pretty disappointed that HPNA didn't take off. Have you tried powerline networking between those two rooms? Those units are easier to get and they work well in my house. I"m using Powerline HD to network my Tivos and it is about as fast as wireless G.



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[edmicman]

Unfortunately, powerline won't work - it's actually between two houses, who share a common phone line. There are too many obstacles to try and do wireless bridging with outdoor antennas, plus that would be too expensive. Same with burying new cable. It's just a shame as I'm pretty sure HPNA would do *exactly* what I want to do. I've tried finding that linksys model you mentioned, without much luck. I'll have to see if I can find any of the others.

I just don't get why none of this stuff is around. Companies *made* the things some years back, where are all of them now? Especially if people stop using them and use something else! Also, you look on the web and apparently they're still developing the stuff, there's an HPNA 3.0 out that supports multimedia and such. And there are manufacturers (mostly in Asia) making them. I just can't find anywhere in the US or even online that actually *sells* the stuff, at least to home users!

 

[MGMorden]

Not too long back a lot of them were on ebay (I'd say 6 months ago). A quick search just now didn't turn up much, but I'd keep an eye out, and try some more extensive search terms. Finding obscure stuff like this is about all it's good for these days . One neat thing if you don't know is you can configure "saved searches" (say, for "homepna bridge") that will email you whenever items are posted that match the criteria. Can help when looking for something specific like this.

 

[edmicman]

Thanks, I'll try that. I think I used to have one saved search for the linksys HP200, but it may have expired. It seems like the couple that turned up were all like 50 bucks, sometimes without shipping included, and sometimes didn't even include the AC adapter. I just don't see why I should have to pay as much as a new wireless G router for a phoneline one that's 10 years old that no one uses. Shouldn't these things all be sitting in backrooms going for cents on the dollar?!?

 

[StormRider]

It looks like some guy on Ebay is trying to sell that Linksys HPNA router (HPRO200)

Linksys HPNA router

 

[RebateMonger]

I owned a Panasonic HomePNA bridge. It worked quite well. I sold mine on Ebay several years ago. Maybe you can find another one there.