IOGear GHPU01 - Manual (Page 31)

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Networking Configuration
there is a limitation of having only two bridges on the same Powerline network.
You will have to use bridges to connect two Macintoshes, because the utility software is not compatible
with Windows based computers.
Can I use both in the same network?
Yes. It is possible to have both nodes and bridges on a network as long as there is only a maximum of 2
bridges. It is also fine to have USB nodes on the same network with Ethernet nodes.
How do I decide whether I need a USB adapter or Ethernet bridge as a node?
It should be determined by the available connection on the computer that you plan to connect to
HomePlug network. If the computer comes with a 10/100 NIC card, use the bridge; if the computer
comes with a USB port, use the USB adapter. If the computer comes with both, you can decide based
upon your unique situation.
For Macintosh and other non-Windows based computers, a bridge is the only choice.
HomePlug Network Topologies:
There are various ways to connect your computers via HomePlug. If all HomePlug units are used as nodes,
the topology is usually BUS. If bridges are used to connect two networks together, there maybe both BUS
and STAR. Following are several examples.