Q: What is a home network?

A: A home network is a standard connection by which PCs, peripherals (like
   printers), and other computer devices can communicate with each other. 
   With a network, a PC in your bedroom can access files from a computer in 
   your den, you can print a letter you just composed on your den's computer 
   on a printer in another part of your home and multiple PCs in your home can
   share one Internet connection. 

   Home networks have become much more prevalent in recent years, and their
   popularity continues to grow at an exponential rate. The two most common
   home networks standards are Ethernet 10/100 and HPNA 2.0, both of which can
   be bought right off the shelf at your local computer store.

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Q: Are home networks hard to set up?

A: No. Home networking kits that include everything you need can be purchased
   from your local computer store. Due to demand, these kits have made home 
   networks very easy to configure. 

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Q: What is Ethernet?

A: Ethernet is the most common business networking standard, and has now
   become a popular model for home networking as well. Typically, computers 
   and devices, or "clients", are connected to a "router" by CAT 5 cable. 

   The router directs traffic to and from every computer on the network, 
   making sure all requests are fulfilled. The term 10/100 refers to the 
   speed of the Ethernet connection, respectively 10Mbs or 100Mbs 
   (Mega Bits Per Second).

   The AT supports Ethernet 10BaseT (10 Mb/s Ethernet) or 10/100BaseT running
   TCP/IP. Note: Not compatible with networks which support *only* Fast 
   Ethernet 100BaseTX (100 Mb/s)

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Q: How come the AT doesn't support the fast Ethernet 100BaseTX (100 Mb/s)?

A: A faster 100 Mb port would not really matter. At present, there is no audio
   format that would require such bandwidth (even 8-channel raw PCM would 
   only be ~5 Mb/s, not that the AT supports such a format).  Also, it's
   almost impossible to find a 100 Mb hub, meaning if it's connected to a 
   100 Mb network, it's almost certainly switched, and therefore won't slow
   anything else down.  In conclusion, there is no compelling reason to give 
   it a 100 Mb port, unless economy of scale actually makes it cheaper than 
   a 10 Mb port.

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Q: What is HPNA?

A: HPNA stands for Home Phoneline Network Association, and is an acronym for 
   a network technology that uses standard analog phone lines. The benefit 
   of this of course is that you don't have to run any new wires because you
   can use phone lines already installed in the home. An HPNA network does not
   disrupt normal phone use. The AT-100 AudioTron model supports HPNA version
   2.0, the high-speed standard for home networking.

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Q: Can a phone be used for calls when HPNA is using my phone line?

A: Yes. HPNA data transfer uses a higher part of the phone line's frequency 
   spectrum that does not interfere with voice phone calls. 

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Q: Is there any difference in quality between Ethernet and HPNA?

A: No, there is no difference in audio quality between Ethernet and HPNA.
   However, you can play .WAV files (which are up to 10 times larger than MP3
   files) only through the Ethernet connection with the AudioTron.

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Q: How is AudioTron connected to my PC with Ethernet?

A: If you have DSL or a cable modem, you already have an Ethernet card in 
   your computer. If not, one can be purchased at your local computer store. 
   Your PC Ethernet card, other devices in the network and AudioTron are all
   connected to an Ethernet "router" which is an inexpensive device that 
   routes information over your home network. 

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Q: How is AudioTron connected to my PC with HPNA?

A: Install an HPNA card in your PC, connect it to the phone line, connect 
   AudioTron (AT-101 model) to another phone line in your home, and you're 
   ready to go.

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Q: Do wires need to be run all over my home for AudioTron?

A: AudioTron (depending on the model) can be connected to your PC with either
   an Ethernet network or an HPNA network. Ethernet requires special cabling,
   while HPNA uses your regular phone line, so you don't have to run any extra
   cabling through your house. Using AudioTron with an HPNA connection won't
   interfere with someone using the phone at the same time.

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