Wi-Fi is certainly convenient, but wired networks still have a lot of advantages, like higher
download speeds for files and videos, lower latency for applications like gaming, and
no signal drop-offs when you're too far away from your router.
But unless you happen to live in a new fangled building with Ethernet jacks like these built
into the walls, how are the hackers supposed to enjoy a wired connection?
I mean, you could be like this guy and turn your house into a cable spaghetti, but a more
appealing choice might be a little known but very useful standard called MOCA.
MOCA stands for Multimedia Over Coax Alliance, and it uses the coaxial cables that might
already be inside your walls. You know, the same ones that you can use for cable TV.
I mean, it makes sense that they can carry data traffic.
Cable internet has been around since the 1990s and can do gigabit plus download speeds these
days. But how? Well, like cable internet, MOCA uses a different frequency to send data through your coaxial
cables. That way, your cable TV signal won't interfere with your network data and vice versa.
But how exactly do you connect a device with an Ethernet jack to one of those cable wall
outlets? Why? A dongle, of course.
Specifically, one that looks like this. You plug in an Ethernet cable from your router, then you connect the adapter to that coaxial
cable outlet in your wall. Then you do the same thing on the other end for any device you're trying to get online,
like a PC, a smart TV, or a wireless access point.
Oh, that last one is key. MOCA is great for extending your Wi-Fi range for phones or other devices that can't easily
take advantage of a wired connection. It is shockingly simple to set up and is encrypted for your security.
Some routers even have MOCA built in which can potentially save you the cost of an adapter
at one end. But hold on a minute, doesn't this sound like a less convenient version of powerline
networking that uses your home's electrical wiring?
After all, everyone has electrical wiring and it's all over your house.
Not everyone has coax, and even the people who do have far fewer ports in their house.
The biggest advantage of MOCA compared to powerline is speed.
Because data signals sent over powerline have to deal with interference from, well, everything
else in your home that uses electricity, they're usually limited to top speeds of a few hundred
megabits per second. That doesn't make them worthless, they can often have much better ping consistency for
gaming than Wi-Fi, so they're still good in an emergency.
But those speeds are pretty unexciting compared to the latest MOCA adapters that can do two
gigabits per second, or better, allowing high-speed client devices to take full advantage of a
lightning-fast multi-gig internet connection, or even video edit off of a remote NAS.
However, MOCA adapters do have some downsides.
For starters, they can be costly compared to powerline solutions, and you may also need
a small device called a point of entry or PoE filter if you have either cable TV or cable
internet service coming into your home. These filters keep MOCA signals from interfering with anything that your neighbors are doing
with the cable line and are commonly suggested as a way to solve performance issues if you
place one where the cable from your ISP enters your house.
And despite the fact that MOCA is designed to work well with modern equipment, certain
older cable modems and TV set-top boxes can get kinda cranky when a MOCA signal hits them,
so a filter on the modem or cable box itself might be a good idea if you're experiencing
problems. But this of course won't be an issue if you don't watch cable TV or if you have a different
kind of internet service such as Fiber to the Home.
Furthermore, because coaxial cable lines are susceptible to disruptions from splitters
and other devices, MOCA is still gonna fall behind the best traditional Ethernet cables,
while costing more. It's just a heck of a lot more practical than trying to rip out your drywall, or your
landlord's drywall, to install those aforementioned traditional Ethernet cables.
That is, unless you really like swinging a demolition hammer around.
Thanks for watching guys, like, dislike, leave a comment with ideas for future episodes,
and be sure to check out our video on PowerLine Ethernet.