Powerline adapter warning

kayomani · 11 Mar 2013 at 12:37

I got my folks a pair of TP Link powerlink 500mbps adapters about a month ago which have been doing their job well until the weekend just gone where I got called to go fix their setup. I found the adapter had merged the network with one from another house which is at least 3 semi-detached houses away (They know all their immediate neighbours).

If you install your own powerline network ensure you use the configuration utility to change the network name your connecting to do something rather unique rather than just using the default else you might end up on someone elses network. It seemed to be the case if you set the network name the same as was being used by an existing adapter then they would automatically pair up in other words no only does the network go much further than you would hope its also secure as a swiss cheese!

nutcase · 11 Mar 2013 at 14:20

I would have thought that this was standard procedure for something that has a default ID - same with router logins etc.

Snubber · 11 Mar 2013 at 15:05

Are you saying that the signal gets carried through the LV distribution cables laid outside the properties in the footpath/highway? Didn't realise that was possible.

kayomani · 11 Mar 2013 at 16:50

Its mains not LV and yes and a reasonable distance it seems.

bremen1874 · 11 Mar 2013 at 17:12

I believe that in power distribution terms the 'mains' is considered as LV.

Accidental connections like this do come up on this forum a few times a year. As more people use them it can only become a more common occurrence.

nick.lidgett · 11 Mar 2013 at 18:00

This happened to me, i bought some second hand and it was picking up someones sky bb lol in the end i sacked them off and put cat5 everywhere.

Shelster · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:34

Interesting news. Wish my situation with the TP Link 500's was similar as I can't get the ones I bought for my flat to work together across a different ring main, let alone some one else's house.

Been through all sorts of emails with TP Link on it and they struggle to achieve 10 Mbps connection.

They are being returned. No options of running Cat 6 as in rented flat and I have heard that landlords get very upset if you start ripping their walls apart

nick.lidgett · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:44

dont drill holes then, can you not just go the long way round and hide it all in trunking, you can get all sorts of different moulding and colours now for that stealthy look, its expensive though but it depends on how bad you want that wired connection, if i was you i would have a word with the landlord and see if he could help with the cost of a cat6 install.
If youre a good tenant, its in his best interest as one day this will be the norm and he will need to incorperate a wired network anyway.

Shelster · 12 Mar 2013 at 10:55

Can't see the landlord wanting to go for that...heck, we still only have 1 feed for Sky despite me providing a solution to the Agency on it.

Currently have some AV200 adapters running the link, so not all that bad. Was wanting to go up to the 500's so the link was that bit quicker, but was a complete step back.

There may be another option opening up as we have to have a builder round to smash three holes in our living room wall so that we can have access hatches to the boiler flue (new regs supposedly) so may be an opportunity to get a cable through these as otherwise it is a very long run around