Homeport Issues & new Super Hub from Virgin

leemonk

leemonk

leemonk

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HomePLUG Issues & new Super Hub from Virgin

Hi,

I've been with Virgin media for years now and rarely have any problems with them so I am generally happy.

I ran with an older modem with a Linksys router supplying both wireless and a homeport network.

On Friday I had some serious speed issues and couldn't get a connection on my main PC higher than a 1M download.

An engineer was called and arrived today. He has replaced the old modem with a new 'super hub' (N series) and we have established that through testing hardwired lap tops and my connected (homeport) PC that my laptop gets speeds of 18meg both connected wired and wirelss (using speedtest.net) whereas my PC only gets 5megs.

The Engineer suggests that the homeport probably needs upgrading to a newer one that is N series compatible. But I am unsure of whether to spend the money or not.

Clearly 5meg is unacceptable, despite it being the same before he changed it all around(cant believe I never tested it before).

I have an old wireless PCI card, but it is a Linksys-G, which I assume means G series.

I also have my PS3 linked up through the homeport network.

My Laptop gets wirelss speeds of 18m when sitting ontop of my PC, so I know range isn't an issue.

What should I do?

Purchase more homeport things (N series compatible) or just go full wireless by purchasing an N series wireless card?

Is the playstation wireless? If so, is it easy to setup?

Post is a bit messy and lots of questions, so I apoligse for that.

Regards

Lee
 
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Also....my little Advert notebook can't seem to find the network at all.

It can find another Virgin network somewhere local, but not mine.

*Edit*

Should probably add that I have no way of making a cable connection from my PC other than Homeport.
 
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Homeport? ah... please don't tell me I've got no answers as I've said the wrong thing.....

Homeport is where you use special plugs in plug sockets and you connect your modem/router in one end and the PC in the other end and the system uses the electrical circuit in the house as a hardwired network.

They seems to be called various things. Here is a page from OC with them:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/search_results.php?sortby=&groupid=&search=homeplug

Regards

Lee
 
homePLUG :D

What speeds are the homeplugs rated to? My thoughts are to forget about internet speeds for a little while and run some test with file transfers across your local network.
 
The speeds wired directly to the hub AND wireless to the hub are both 18megs or so.

In my view, the fault lie clearly with the HomePLUGS. Either all of them or one of them.

This is my quandary. I don't really like wireless at home, BUT my laptop, sitting on top of my PC, gets 18megs. So, using wireless shouldn't be an issue.

BUT, I don't like it and would rather hardwire. Thus I am wondering if it's actualy better, assuming I have kit that works.

The little notebook, that can't pick up the wireless signal, also connects at 5megs or so (its actually improved to around 7megs on both hardwired connections now) when using HomePLUG.

If I go wirelss then will also have to accept that my notebook (which has Skype on it) will either just run at 7meg or will not pick up the network.... unless there is some advice you can offer on that.

Regards

Lee
 
When you say that the laptop gets 18meg and the PC gets 5meg are you talking Megabytes or Megabits? I am guessing it is Megabits, as 18 megabytes per second would equate to 144 Megabits per second which if we are talking broadband speeds seems a little high.

Also, what speed is the Homeplug rated at? 85Mbps, 200Mbps?

I have the 200Mbps powerline adapters myself and between computers the speed tops out at 5 Megabytes per second, which would be 40Megabits per second, which would be enough to let you download at full speed.

Though obviously each home is different and some people do get very poor speeds. Are the homeplugs plugged directly into a wall socket? That may help.

The other thing to try is to wire the laptop into the router or homeplug that the router is connected to and try to copy some files between the laptop and desktop. That should let you know what speed the homeplugs are allowing without the broadband connection being involved.
 
Thanks for the reply.

I'm using speedtest.net and I beleive that measures in megaBITS per second.

My PC and laptop (PC through extension, laptop through direct plug) both pull at 5-7megaBITS, however my wireless stuff pulls at 18. Despite being fairly far away from the router, my laptop, when sitting on top of my PC will still pull at 18. Which is the reason I am unsure about HOMEPLUGS/Powerlines or wireless.

I'm not sure what rating the Homeplugs are, so I will check.

Regards

Lee
 
I take it that the "HomePorts" you are talking about are what is commonly known as PowerLine Adaptors (PLAs)?
  • I believe that you cannot mix versions of these running at different speeds (e.g. 85, 200, 500 Megabits per second) - they will always run at the lowest speed, maybe not at all.
  • As I understand it, the wisest solution is also ONLY to use PLAs from a single supplier (Netgear, TP-Link, ZyXel, DeVolo or whoever).
  • From my own personal experience, PLAs only really work effectively on sockets that are wired through a single fusebox, ideally all on the same ring main circuit.
  • I can't say that I have tried this but I get the feeliong that it is not a good idea to use large numbers of PLAs (the quoted speed applies to ALL of the plugs taken together, not to each individually)
  • A good tool for testing the efffective throughput of a LAN (i.e. not the Internet) is NetStat Live.
What is the "Advert notebook"? What networking facilities does it offer?


Finally,and I don't mean in any way to give offence, you might get a better response from someone much more informed than me if you reworded your question(s) better, with more complete, accurate information including make and model, specification, etc. - just a thought ;)
 
Thanks for the feedback Stockhausen!

....and no offence taken. Normally I'd have all the information together as I appreciate on forums like this people are taking the time to help me.

Not to make excuses, but we just had a little baby and most of the equipment is now located in areas that will mean moving all of her stuff around........ so you can imagine how that sits with the Mrs right now :)

I'll try and get a look at whats what over the next day or so and then come back.

Regards
 
Okay... the powerline-homeplug adaters I have are as follows (no name):

85m PLC Adapter

click for pic

So, a few more questions:

1. Is the consensus that I should run with powerline/homeplug over wireless?
2. If so, what speeds would I need?
3. Are all the new ones going to be N rated? Which is what I was told to get by the VM engineer?

Regards
 
Hi ?Lee?

I don't really think anyone can say what will or will not work well in your situation. Even in my environments, I only believe it when I see it. If one had knowledge of or access to your home and the wiring, one might be able to give a better answer.

In my opinion, wired Internet is ALWAYS the best. However, it is often thoroughly inconvenient and sometimes impossible (stone walled cottages, listed buildings, etc.). As a result, you may have to look at Wireless or Power Line Adaptors (PLAs)

I have no idea where the idea of N series compatible PLAs come from, I thought that that only applied to 802.11n which is a wireless standard - but what do I know?

My personal view is that if you have multiple mains "fuse" boxes, especially of the ancient "wired type, you should probably steer clear of PLAs.

Hopefully, somewhere (e.g. in a cupboard in the hall or under the stairs), you will have a mains distribution board / consumer unit with a number 5A & 30A Residual Current Breakers (RCBs) or Mini Circuit Breakers (MCBs). If you have only one of these, PLAs should work satisfactorily - I emphasise SHOULD, your mileage may vary.

I believe that certain electrical equipment can interfere with the signal on PLAs but then my wireless signal goes out the window when I use the microwave; the fridge switching on and off probably has much the same (short and intermittent) effect.

Remember that the speed quoted for PLAs applies to the lot of them, not to each of them individually, so they would probably not work well in an office environment or Internet Cafe for instance.

I would suggest that if you do decide to use PLAs, you go for 500 Mbps Gigabit devices and not from some no-name manufacturer. Use identical units and don't forget to setup encryption (typically a button on the side)

As a final suggestion, I would suggest that you Google around for some customer reviews and look carefully at any "negative" feedback (e.g. in the rainforest) - you can often learn a lot from these.


ps - despite all this and the house where I live having one new and two ancient fuse boxes, I do use a couple of cheapish PLAs - they work OK for me to connect my TV to the Internet.

pps - good to hear about the new baby - lucky you - spend lots of time with her - you will never get a 2nd chance :)
 
i have exactly the same ones in white.

I get rougly 50mbps to my main pc upstairs through these from my virgin superhub.

I have the 250mbps rates ones.

Mines were called ****** extra value ones.

Make sure they are synched to each other.

Don't use extension cables for them to plug in to make sure they go straight into the wall.

If you have another lying around swap 1 over 1 of mine died and dl speeds went to 1mbps.

Don't go wireless its crap and backwards tech.
 
thanks for the reply.

My main PC does run through an extension cable as it's the only way to get it there short of running infront of an open door (trip hazard for the Mrs and a toy for the little one).

That said, my other two are directly into the wall and obtain the same speeds.

I guess I am looking at 200+ plugs then in that case.

Are all the news ones N rated?
 
B G & N rating is only for wireless.

if you want truley fast speeds then go for the 500mbps.

As a rule of thumb you only get 75% of the rated speed due to noise on the powerline.

so 200mpbs rated ones will get approv 150mpbs and half it as its each way is about 75mbps.
 
Hey,

So..... been doing a little more homework and am wondering if these would be okay:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-032-TP&tool=3

They get good reviews from OC feedback, but I was wondering if they were fast enough?

I have a 50meg connection with Virgin Media.

I know everyone has recommended the 500's but sadly I am unemployed right now so cash is tight.

I ask also as I have seen them elsewhere, in a popular high street store, no names mentioned, for just £29.95 which means I can get two sets and everything will work.

Regards

Lee
 
Ah... I think I missed your post Passey as I had my message box open since this morning.

I guess the answer is if I am happy with 50meg connection for the forseeable future then the link i posted should be sufficient?
 
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