Powerline Networking

Xiphos08mp · 17 Dec 2014 at 20:31

OK, so I have a couple of questions as I've never used these before.

Firstly, can I use multiple brands with the idea of saving a bit of money (hopefully while avoiding "buy cheap, buy twice")? I'm all for using the same brand adapters for obvious reasons but my fiancee takes the attitude of "it's only your PC"...only the most important device in the building! Other than the kettle of course.

Also, can I use different models within the same brand together? I was thinking of having an extention to my computer (so just an ethernet cable) and maybe another in the bedroom with wireless. So effectively 2 cable devices which could do with pass-throughs and one wireless device that doesn't.

Any recomendations? I would prefer a minimum of 500Mbps at the router and my computer but not fused on the wireless one.

I was thinking of these and this. So my questions should now be clear anyway.

jkb · 17 Dec 2014 at 22:14

You can certainly mix wireless and wired ones - I have two wired and two wireless/wired combined in my house. I believe you can mix brands but I have never tried. If you mix speeds everything works at the speed of the slowest adaptor. I use TPlink 500 and have never had an issue with them. Before that I used TP link 200.

bledd · 18 Dec 2014 at 10:27

If you want hassle free networking.

Avoid these and install ethernet around the house. Cheaper and better. (more work involved though)

Ev0 · 18 Dec 2014 at 11:02

Never had problem with our powerline adapters, and certainly was cheaper and easier than wiring up the house properly!

They are obviously not as quick as wired ethernet, but hasn't been an issue for how they are being used.

I'd prefer wired ethernet everywhere, but just not practical to get it properly wired in every room at the moment.

TheVoice · 18 Dec 2014 at 11:09

You can mix brands as long as they're complaint with each other but personally I'd want to use the same brand throughout to minimise any potential problems. As above, the slowest adapter will slow the rest down so try to get ones that are the same speed and ideally, get the fastest ones you can.