The Homeplug networking standard isn’t all that well known, but it does provide a very quick and easy way of setting up a network at home or in a small office.

Homeplug devices can send network data along your existing electrical wiring in much the same way that ADSL connections send the data along an existing telephone line.

There are a number of Homeplug devices on the market, but Netgear’s XE 104 is one of the most useful we’ve come across so far.

Based on the Homeplug 1.0 standard, it supports data transfer speeds of up to 85Mbits/sec. But, just as with quoted wireless speeds, it's best to take this figure with a large pinch of salt.

However, since most home Internet connections run at less than 10Mbits/sec, the XE 104 should still be more than adequate for most home users and small businesses.

You'll need a faster rate only when transferring large files across your network.

At least two of the XE 104 units are required to set up your network. The first needs to be plugged into a mains socket near your broadband router; this is then connected to the router with an ordinary Ethernet cable.

The second XE104 can be plugged into any power socket in your home, allowing you to quickly create a network that extends into any room in the building.

Unlike other Homeplug devices we’ve looked at, the XE104 has four Ethernet sockets built into it, so you can quickly connect multiple computers or games consoles.

The ability to use existing power sockets makes it very easy to set up your network. It is especially useful if your current wireless network doesn't reach all rooms in your house; a common problem with thick-walled houses.

The only real disadvantage is that the XE104 is a bit more expensive than conventional Ethernet networking. However, it’s quick and easy to set up, and if you don’t need the four Ethernet ports you can opt for Netgear’s single-port XE102 for £35.

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