Powerline Adaptors

celliott · 15 Oct 2008 at 20:16

Our LAN at home is nice and simple, 3 PC's and a router all going into a Switch. We also have a BT Vision topbox which has a powerline adaptor connected to the switch,and another powerline plug connected to the BT box in the lounge.

If I wanted to add another device to the LAN via a powerline adaptor, would it be as straight forward as plugging it in? Or do they come in like matched pairs?

muzzler · 15 Oct 2008 at 20:21

as far as i know its a case of just plugging it in as long as they are homeplug 1.0 compliant (if your devices are) therefore the present devices will pick up the new adaptor and hey presto!

gumbald · 15 Oct 2008 at 20:34

Yep, just plug it in.

celliott · 15 Oct 2008 at 20:42

How can that be secure then if there is no setup required? I.e. what would stop next door from snooping around

gumbald · 15 Oct 2008 at 20:53

The amount of security depends on your wiring. They're technically horrid pieces of kit from a standards point of view, sending emissions all over the place - hence why they don't conform to any standards.

Mine make speakers buzz.

Wicksta · 15 Oct 2008 at 21:59

celliott said:
How can that be secure then if there is no setup required? I.e. what would stop next door from snooping around

Mine have a button you press when you add a new adapter and it sends them a key:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/11/13/solwise_pushes_powerline_sec/

With other models you can enter the encryption key into any new adapters manually.