Powerline Plugs

Marky · 29 Jun 2011 at 19:34

Hey all,

Are there any disadvantages to Powerline Plugs?

I've recently have Virgin Media setup in our house - but the engineer insisted the internet router had to be in the front room next to our TV...

As everyone knows - the wireless signal of the Superhub is unreliable - and with me sitting in my room, I'm getting around 15MB when I should be getting 50MB.

My first thought was that I'll have to wire an ethernet cable through the walls and ceiling to my room and connect my mac to that.

But then I found Powerline Plugs - Are they really that easy to use? If I get 50MB when I connect to my router by ethernet, can I expect 50MB if I connect my mac to an ethernet on a Powerline Plug?

Thanks,
Marky

MagicBoy · 29 Jun 2011 at 19:43

Should do, depends on the quality of the house wiring.

I'm using my Xbox on homeplugs at the moment as I'm house sitting. The router is two floors away over 30 year old wiring and they work just fine. It's also possible to get homeplug wireless extenders. One standard homeplug near the router, one wireless one elsewhere that acts as a wireless AP. The Devolo ones work well in my experience.

Marky · 30 Jun 2011 at 09:07

I heard if one plug is on a different ringmain in your house, it will be a lower speed - is that correct?

Marky · 1 Jul 2011 at 18:25

Okay - Upon asking OcUK if they'd allow me to return it if it didn't work too well - I ordered me a pair of the TP-Link AV 200's here

I don't think I've ever had an install so amazingly simple all my life! I literally just plugged one in downstairs (attached it to the router) - then plugged one in upstairs in my room (attached it to my mac) - and away I went! No installation, no nothing! It just worked!

The fact I didn't have to press any buttons or enter any passwords slightly worries me... Any one have any take on that? Will it be a safe and secure network?

MagicBoy · 1 Jul 2011 at 19:09

There's usually a software utility or button to press that enables encryption. It's a bit unlikely that someone would want to tap into your ring main to get network access though!

Broken Arrow · 2 Jul 2011 at 10:24

My TP-link plugs have a software utility that lets you add encryption. I was confused at first as I couldn't get them to sync but I realised that if you hold the sync button down for too long it just resets the plug rather than putting it in sync mode.