HPNA, also referred to as HomePNA, is a de facto home networking standard developed by the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance. This technology, building on Ethernets, allows all the components of a home network to interact over the home’s existing telephone wiring without disturbing the existing voice or fax services.
How it Works
In the same way a LAN operates, home networking processes, manages, transports and stores information, which enables the disparate devices in a home network such as telephones, fax machines, desktops, laptops, printers, scanners and Web cameras to connect and integrate over a home’s unpredictable wiring topology. HPNA technology must coexist with telephone service and comply with FCC Part 68.
In 2013 the HomeGrid Forum and the HomePNA Alliance merged under the HomeGrid Forum name, supporting both G.hn and HomePNA technologies.
Example HomePNA Network
The following image details an example network with a cable modem ISP connection, sharing via hardware router with built-in switch with the addition of HomePNA clients via an Ethernet to HomePNA bridge.
