Powerline + switch vs better router?

RollerBall

RollerBall

RollerBall

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7 Oct 2008
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806
Location
Birmingham
At the moment using a netgear DGM1000 on VM ADSL.

I don't get a very good signal (basically none existent) upstairs in my room. In my room I have my 360, my PC and occasionally my netbook/phone. I can't run a wire up to my room or drill holes as it's rented so that's out.

So, do I get powerline adapters and then a switch in my room to connect the 360 and the PC to or a better router?

I intend on gaming on my 360 or PC quite a bit, never both at the same time. If I'm on my xbox my PC will probably be browsing so I assume a cheap switch (10 quid ish) would be able to handle this? With the powerline adapters I can then just go sit downstairs to DL something big on my phone and then either connect my netbook to the switch or just deal with the slow connection as I'd only use it browsing in bed.

The other option is buying a better router than my current one. Which would give a better outcome? Bearing in mind up to five other people and myself (six in total) could be connected to the router at the same time vs just me on the powerline adapters.
 
I'd go for a third option of powerline + a cheap and cheerful wireless router in your room.

How well powerline adapters will work will obviously depend on what the mains wiring is like. They normally seem to work well enough, especially if you’re only needing them to match the broadband speed.
 
bremen1874 said:
I'd go for a third option of powerline + a cheap and cheerful wireless router in your room.

How well powerline adapters will work will obviously depend on what the mains wiring is like. They normally seem to work well enough, especially if you’re only needing them to match the broadband speed.
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Yeah I wont be using them to transfer files over the network, just internet.

Cheap routers are still quite a bit just for using my netbook or phone in bed when I could use the former with a cable on the switch still . Unless a 10 quid switch would give me lag?
 
Even the cheapest switch won't add any noticeable latency to the connection.

A router wouldn’t need to be very expensive, OcUK has one that would do the job for a touch over £15.
 
RollerBall said:
Hmm, what router? Would I need another ADSL one?
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If you use a Cable/FTTC router you can connect it via it’s WAN port and have your own private network behind it. If you’re in shared accommodation this could be an advantage. It would involve double NATing, but that isn’t much of an issue.

The other option that would work with an ADSL router or a Cable/FTTC router is to disable DHCP and connect it to the other router using one of its LAN ports. It would then just work as a switch and wireless access point.
 
Powerline and switch is what i use for my room, Comp/TV/Sky HD box. I bought the OCUK value 8 port switch which is an Addon switch, never heard of them, but it does the job and cost less then a tenner.

The wireless externders are usefull if you still want wireless, that can either be a cheap router or a dedicated extender, some powerline kits also offer this function but ofcourse it adds to the kits price.

If just wanting powerline..
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-017-OK&groupid=46&catid=1604&subcat=

If u want to add wireless into the powerline, note that this is just one powerline adaptor and a wireless extender, you will still need a power line at the other end.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-018-OK&groupid=46&catid=1604&subcat=

Switch that will just simply work, not that good for streaming media from item to item, but perfect if its just internet use.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-074-EX&groupid=46&catid=1626&subcat=
 
In the end I got the TP link AV200 starter pack (+ one extra for a flatmate) and that chea £7 OCUK switch. Should be here Wednesday.
 
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