Powerline Adapters

Skeeter · 20 Jan 2009 at 23:23

Can I plug a small switch into a powerline adapter? i.e. Have 2 powerline adapters. At one end it is plugged into my router which has a 4 port switch and has my family PC connected to it and my server, and at the other plug in a 4 port switch and connect my PC and HTPC to the switch? Would this work and would all IP addresses be assigned by the router?

-=Vect0r=- · 21 Jan 2009 at 00:17

I believe some adapters do support this feature. Which do you have? Why not try it, don't think you will do any harm....

Scope · 21 Jan 2009 at 08:20

I have a similar setup and it should work fine.

Demon · 21 Jan 2009 at 09:58

Indeed, the Powerline adapters are to all intents and purposes totally transparent when it comes to the network, so Switches/Routers etc all work fine.

I've got 2 switches plugged either end of my powerline stuff, and it all works seemlessly.

Wiggins · 21 Jan 2009 at 19:47

I have 3 powerline adaptors.

One plugged into the router along with a 360 and a Media Center and one plugged into a 4 port switch which has 2 PC's and a Laptop in also.

The 3rd is plugged in upstairs for the daughters machine and they all work fine even when all of them are switched on.

The router has assigned IP addresses to all hardware.

Scope · 21 Jan 2009 at 19:50

One thing to note, which isnt relevant on your case, but if you have 2 routers in your network make sure to disable the DHCP server on one of them, so you dont have 2 routers giving out IP addresses - this is the setup I've got.

errata · 22 Jan 2009 at 14:12

You can have a small or large switch or hubs and it should work fine, only downside is more congestion bwetween the 2 separate locations.

Using swiches can be preferble to the powerline adapters with multi ethernet ports that reputedly are hubs and not switches.

(difference being the switch knows what its connected to and is selective at addressing some destinations rather sending everything to everybody.)

daztrouk · 22 Jan 2009 at 19:58

How's the performance on these? I'm having issues with my wireless setup, where i have to restart the router every few days, and in between it frequently drops off...

Tom|Nbk · 22 Jan 2009 at 20:49

Does powerline work with power extensions as I only have one plug in my computer room. I'm sick to death of this wireless now.

Tom|Nbk · 22 Jan 2009 at 21:25

Well I've just ordered this kit as I spotted it

Linksys PLK200-UK 200Mpbs Wall Socket PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (Twin Pack) £48

and I'll sell my wireless card to my brother as he's after one. Will give it a try through my power extension, anything can be better than wireless at the moment, if it doesn't work DSR ***

Skeeter · 26 Jan 2009 at 00:23

I dont have any powerline kit yet, im looking at using it to replace my WiFi connection to my PC's to enable wake on lan from hibernate. Are there any issues with WOL over powerline?

I thought you had to connect them to a PC to setup the Powerline connectors? Is this not the case? or can you unplug the PC and stick in a switch when there setup?

errata · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:32

daztrouk said:
How's the performance on these? I'm having issues with my wireless setup, where i have to restart the router every few days, and in between it frequently drops off...

homeplug 200 Av units in a normal house are mormally better than 54g or 108g wifi but not as good as wifi n at close range.

in my experience they are brilliant at solving those wierd wifi perfomance and configuration issues that drive us all mad.

you can just lieterally plug them in if you are happy with default security

errata · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:36

Skeeter said:
I dont have any powerline kit yet, im looking at using it to replace my WiFi connection to my PC's to enable wake on lan from hibernate. Are there any issues with WOL over powerline?

I thought you had to connect them to a PC to setup the Powerline connectors? Is this not the case? or can you unplug the PC and stick in a switch when there setup?

by default they require no drivers or software and you rely on the relatives isolation of your electrical supply from your neighbours.

some now come with push button encryption (press a button on any 2 to establish a link)

If you want to monitor connections or add encryption or seaprate networks into sub nets then you use the software.

Not sure about WOL, the devices are active all the time though some now seem to have power saving technology. No real reason why they should not work