This Ethernet over Coax (MoCA) guide will help you to understand MoCA technology and how it works to improve your WiFi performance.
Shortcut to topics covered:
What is MoCA?
MoCA technology 2.0 vs 2.5
What are MoCA Adapters?
MoCA Adapters for Ethernet over Coax
Benefits of MoCA Adapters
How toSet Up MoCA Adapters
FAQs
What is MoCA?
MoCA stands for Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance. MoCA technology is a WiFi booster that allows you to transmit Ethernet data over coax TV wiring. Coax TV wiring already exists in your home if you (or previous tenants/owners) have ever had Cable TV services installed and set up. That is how to know if you have a MoCA-ready network.
MoCA is wired, so it delivers a reliable, low-lag, and ultra-high-speed connection.
There are different versions of MoCA as the technology enhances. MoCA started with 1.0, then came 1.1 and 2.0. Today, the fastest, most updated version offered is MoCA 2.5.
MoCA 2.0 vs 2.5
MoCA 2.0 and 2.5 are the latest versions. While MoCA 2.5 is the most updated, 2.0 is still widely offered and used. With MoCA 2.0, you can reach up to 500 Mbps throughput, which is fast enough for no-lag or latency when online gaming and 4K HD video streaming. MoCA 2.0 is backward compatible to 1.0 and 1.1.
MoCA 2.5 is the upgrade from 2.0, so it offers all of the same benefits and more. With MoCA 2.5, you can reach speeds up to 1 Gbps and you get more advanced security. MoCA 2.5 is great for lag-free gaming, 4K HD streaming and video conferencing for working from home. MoCA 2.5 is backwards compatible to MoCA 2.0 and 1.1.
What are MoCA Adapters?
MoCA Adapters (Ethernet over Coax Adapters) are the devices that help extend the WiFi coverage in your home. With better WiFi coverage you get better performance. The MoCA adapter acts as a wired network solution that eliminates any dead spots or other network issues in your home.
Setting up and using a MoCA adapter is easy:
- First, plug the MoCA adapter into a coax jack and connect it to your traditional router with an Ethernet cable. (Or, skip this step if you have a MoCA-router which acts as one of the adapters in the pair.)
- Second, connect another MoCA adapter to a different coax jack in your home.
That’s it. They pair together to extend the WiFi signal reach. No extra wires. No holes in walls. No interruptions to your Internet connection.
MoCA Adapters are Wired for Faster, More Reliable Internet
A wired Internet connection is more reliable, but less convenient. A wireless Internet connection (WiFi) is more convenient, but less reliable. Each has its pros and cons. We are not saying that MoCA is better than WiFi. But what we are saying is that using MoCA technology through MoCA adapters lets you have the best of both worlds: reliable Internet and convenience in your home.
Because MoCA is a direct connection – from your home coaxial wiring to your device – it isn’t as vulnerable as WiFi, which makes it a reliable (and secure) connection.
If you are trying to decide whether Ethernet over coax (MoCA) is right for you, or which devices to use it with, follow this guideline:
- If your device is often portable, like a laptop, then stick to WiFi for convenience.
- If your device is often stationary, like a gaming console, DVR, HDTV, etc. wire it up.
- If you live in a small home, your WiFi signal may already cover your space.
- If you live in a large home or multi-level home, you can boost your WiFi signal with MoCA.
Yes, WiFi is more convenient than a wired solution. But a wire here or there is a small price to pay when you get to enjoy your streaming and gaming without connection issues every time.
How MoCA Adapters Benefit You
MoCA adapters are a cost-effective way to make your WiFi better. MoCA adapters make your WiFi better by becoming a backbone for you WiFi network and removing dead spots. They are great way to improve the WiFi connection and coverage in your home or office without installing new wiring since they work off of existing coaxial cables without requiring an active subscription from your cable company.
As a result, you get:
- Better Internet connection: The stable wired connection makes your Internet more reliable.
- Better streaming: No more buffering, frozen or dropped videos. With MoCA adapters, multiple people in your home can stream at the same time, uninterrupted.
- Better online gaming: MoCA adapters create a wired-like connection so that you get rid of any lag while playing.
- Better video conferencing: Get smooth connections and glitch-free meetings, no matter how many people are working from home or attending online classes all at the same time.
- Security & privacy features: Naturally, MoCA is secure. MoCA adapters use data encryption to keep data safe from unauthorized access. MoCA 2.5 adapters offer advanced security like MoCA protected setup (MPS), which offers unique password sharing via push-button (similar to WiFi WPS).
You get all of this by simply setting up your plug-and-play adapters.
How to Quickly Set Up MoCA Adapters in your Home or Business
Setting up your MoCA network is easy and you can do it yourself. There is no difficult configuration required. Here is what you have to do:
1
Buy a pair of MoCA adapters.
2
Connect one adapter to a coax jack and into your router with the connector cable.
3
Connect the second adapter into the device you want to use to connect to the Internet. (You will need an Ethernet cable to connect to your device.)
Questions Others are Asking
Here are some commonly asked questions about setting up MoCA:
Do I need more than one MoCA Adapter?
The number of MoCA adapters you need depends on a few things. If you have a MoCA-enabled device, like a MoCA router, then you only need one (1) MoCA adapter. However, if you have a traditional cable modem and router setup (devices without MoCA built-in), then two (2) adapters will work well for most apartments and homes. If your home is large and/or multi-level, you may need more depending on how far you need the MoCA coverage to travel.
Do I need an active Cable TV subscription for it to work?
No. MoCA works with existing coaxial cable wiring but does not require that cabling to be on an active subscription. If the wiring exists in your home, all you need to do is invest in one or more MoCA adapters to take advantage of what MoCA technology has to offer.
A Final Word on MoCA
MoCA technology and MoCA adapters have a lot to offer you and your WiFi network, whether that’s at home or in the office. To ensure you are getting the best Internet connection and performance, it’s important to know how to give your WiFi a boost where and when it needs it.
At Hitron, we design, manufacture and distribute high-performance MoCA Network Adapters to quality Internet Service Providers (ISP). When you are ready to invest in MoCA for your home or office, ask your ISP about Hitron’s offerings of MoCA 2.0 Coax to Ethernet adapters and MoCA 2.5 Coax to Ethernet adapters today.
For more information on MoCA technology, MoCA adapters, and related topics, check out Hitron’s Learn Page and blog.
