There’s a rather clever ad on TV at the moment which has the tag "isn’t it nice when things just work". I’m sure you’ve seen it. While this review has nothing to do with a Honda car, it has everything to do with things "just working".

It’s so nice to find a product which not only delivers what it promises – it does it without any hassle, any setup difficulties. It just works!

Over the years, we’ve looked at many types of computer networks, some in considerable depth.

This month, it’s another type of network. But it is quite different in that, while it is wired, the wiring is already in place in your home or office. This network uses the power lines running through the building (and even beyond) as the network. It’s called Ethernet Over Power (EOP)

Ethernet over power does exactly what its name suggests – there is no wireless, no Cat5, no coax – the 240VAC power wiring, as well as supplying power, supplies the network connection. In other words, the data stream is superimposed onto the mains at significantly higher frequency that the 50Hz mains – in fact, it’s in the several MHz range. Using power lines for networking has been in the pipeline (no pun intended!) for some years, with various systems set up here and overseas to test it out.