Ethernet and WiFi connections are widely used, but they are not the only options available. You can also set up a fast and reliable network at home using Ethernet over coax. Ethernet over coax is a practical solution to set up a wired internet connection without having to use a lot of new wires. In order to establish the connection, this method uses the coax network that is already in place in your home. This cables are normally used for cable TV. With Ethernet over coax you can enjoy many advantages. Here we will take a look at them and will also present a list of the best MoCA adapters that you can get.
What is Ethernet over coax?
Let’s start by taking a closer look at Ethernet over coax. As previously mentioned, this is a convenient solution that relies on the existing cable TV wiring to set up a wired IP connection. Since many homes already have a full coax network installed, all users need to do is to get a few adapters to get the most out of this setup. Although many houses use a wireless network to get access to the internet in rooms in their home, Ethernet over coax offers additional benefits. It will offer a more reliable connection and depending on the router, it can give you a faster connection.
One of the scenarios in which you can see the advantages of Ethernet over coax is if your TV has smart functionality that only works with a connection to the internet, but there is no Ethernet connectivity in the room where the TV is located and the wireless signal is not reliable. You don’t need to fill your house with Ethernet cables as you can get two MoCA adapters instead. Then you would plug one into the MoCA port near your TV and one into the port near your router. Once these are connected via Ethernet, you can give your TV an internet connection.
When you compare it to Ethernet cabling, the speeds available are not as fast as what you get from some of the latest Ethernet standards, However, since additional wires are not required, this can be a very practical option. These adapters work on your coax network, but if you don’t have coax wiring at home, you can opt for powerline adapters as an alternative. The powerline adapters don’t use the coax cables, but instead, they rely on the electrical wiring at your house, in order to provide a network connection.
How do MoCA adapters work? How easy are they to set up?
MoCA adapters work almost in the same way as powerline adapters. In essence, you need to plug the adapters into your coax socket and not into power outlets like when you use a Powerline adapter. One adapter is plugged into the modem or router, while the other one is plugged into the coax socket in the room or rooms that you need to connect to. After doing that, you just need to connect the adapters to the network using an Ethernet cable. One of them should be running between the modem or router and the first adapter. The other Ethernet cables run between the adapters and the devices that you need to connect to in every room. It is possible to use multiple MoCA adapters (10 and even above), but this depends on the brand and model.
After your network is connected in this way, the data will pass from your router into the adapter via the coax network, and back into the second adapter, then to your computer or any Ethernet device that you are using. You only need to set up some encryption in your network as an additional step. Since coax networks usually pass from one home to another, it may be possible for those near your house to get some of your data, if they also use a MoCA adapter. If you encrypt your network, it will be more difficult for others to access your information. In general, the adapters come with this functionality, but it is important that you check it first with the manufacturer. The setting up process can be very easy, which is one of the advantages of these adapters.
Best MoCA (Ethernet Over Coax) Adapters
Actiontec Bonded MoCA 2.0 Ethernet to Coax adapter
The impressive speeds and convenience of this Actiontec adapter will allow you to enjoy efficient performance in your network. It supports speeds of up to 1Gbps and it can be set up easily. It is very easy to set up and all you need to do is to plug two devices into your MoCA network. The two devices will find each other once they have been plugged in. If you are not able to set up Ethernet at home, this is a fast and reliable solution.
Actiontec Ethernet over Coax Adapter
This device offers amazing speeds (up to 270Mbps), making it a great option for browsing, streaming media over your network and more. In terms of security, this Actiontec device provides encryption to protect your network. It also supports advanced options that will come helpful when you are setting the network up.
TiVo Bridge MoCA 2.0 adapter
This adapter focuses on supporting TiVo devices so if you have one, this is the option to go for. The TiVo Bridge MoCa 2.0 adapter features Hulu and Netflix applications and offers combined speeds of up to 450Mbps. It is a convenient solution to connect your TV to your home network, giving you the chance to take advantage of all its smart TV features. Although its is mainly designed to work for TiVo, it should also be a good general MoCA network adapter.
Conclusion
Overall, Ethernet over Coax is a fantastic solution to turn your existing coax network into a wired network. It offers fast and stable connection for your devices and it doesn’t require you to set up an Ethernet network. It works better than wireless, in particular in cases where the WiFi signal is not very strong in some areas in the house. The Actiontec Bonded MoCA 2.0 adapter is a great option thanks to its speed and simple setup, but you can also consider the other devices in our list.
