Can I run 2 separate connections through Ethernet powerline adapters?

Kobi · 14 Dec 2017 at 23:27

As title, my home net is naff, but I get an ok 4g signal. So I've got a 4g router along with a bt one. 4g's fine, but the connection does drop now and again when gaming, which is annoying. So, I've tried bonding the connection on the pc, that's fine, but I game on the Xbox, so I need to do 2 Ethernets into the pc and hotspot it out. Access is the main problem,I can't get either Ethernet cables directly, so I was thinking about 2 pairs of powerline adapters and connecting that way, I assume that won't work?

If you have any better suggestions then please say

Zefan · 14 Dec 2017 at 23:32

Although I'm not 100% sure what you're asking without a drawing, I think switches would solve your problem.

bremen1874 · 15 Dec 2017 at 08:30

You can create separate pairs of Powerline adapters. Use the pairing buttons or the utility software to give each pair different encryption keys.

Kobi · 17 Dec 2017 at 23:33

Ah sorry, I'll say it a bit simpler. So(just so we're on the same wavelength) the powerline adapters plug into two sockets, one next to your router(connected by Ethernet) and another in the room you want the internet access(Ethernet access in my case) and will send your internet through the electricity. I've got 2 routers, so two separate connections (4g and land line). I wasn't sure if I could send 2 different connections through 2 different powerline adapters or if they would cause interference.

bremen1874 · 17 Dec 2017 at 23:53

My answer still stands.

Powerline adapters use encryption keys to talk to each other.

Out of the box they'll use default encryption keys. You can (and should) set your own encryption keys using the buttons on the adapters or the utility software if available (this is often referred to as pairing).

By setting different encryption keys you can create two pairs of adapters that'll only talk between themselves.

They will however to sharing the same bandwidth.

Simple enough?

Kobi · 18 Dec 2017 at 13:18

Cheers buddy, I'll get a shot of my brothers and try it out.

Caged · 18 Dec 2017 at 21:04

It's just a layer 2 bridge as far as I know, so there's no reason why you couldn't have devices from two different subnets communicating between a single pair of powerline devices. For obvious reasons you'd need to use static addressing on at least one of the subnets.

pcfarrar · 18 Dec 2017 at 21:52

Why not just replace the BT router with one that can load balance the 4G and BT connection.

K.C. Leblanc · 19 Dec 2017 at 20:39

There's loads of ways to do this, most of which are a bit bodgy.

The way I'd do it is probably setup the two routers so they're both using the same IP range (e.g. 168.192.1.x) but have different addresses, disable the DHCP server on the router you'll use the least. And then manually change the default gateway on the clients that I want to use the other router.