Question about powerline networking

Rilot · 26 Dec 2016 at 10:30

In the house, I have 4 TP-Link AV1200 powerline adaptors and they are excellent. I want to add another upstairs and was looking to get one with WiFi capability to extend the coverage. I've tried WiFi extenders and in my experience every one of them has one problem or another so having a powerline version seems like the answer.
My question is, if I have AV1200 in the house and I add an AV600 will all of the AV1200s drop down to the speed of the slowest item on the network? The TP-Link website doesn't seem very clear on this as it says: "if two different adapters are being used with each other, the Powerline rate will automatically run at the lowest adapter’s settings."

Does this mean that traffic between the AV600 and AV1200 will run at 600 (which I hope), or does it mean that all powerline adaptors will drop down the AV600 speeds (which I really don't want)?

TheVoice · 26 Dec 2016 at 13:08

The entire network will run at the slowest-rated speed.

xs2man · 26 Dec 2016 at 15:11

Does it not also depend on what extender type you go for?

You can get extenders that simply boost the wifi signal. Andd keep it off the powerline network.

I too have the TP AV1200's (2 with single ethernet ports, and 2 with the triple ports. Don't get the triple port versions, they are nowhere near as stable in my experience). But I was wanting to extend my wifi too, so was looking at the TP-Link AC1750. That keeps off the powerline network, so doesn't reduce speeds there, but does keep the bandwidth relatively high at 1300 MBPS.

Of course, the problem is that if you are wishing to place it somewhere you don't actually get Wifi at all, rather than a halfway point where the WiFi is simply weaker.

TheVoice · 27 Dec 2016 at 10:52

He did say he's already tried WiFi extenders.

Rilot · 27 Dec 2016 at 13:10

I've tried loads of WiFi extenders and none of them work reliably.
Well, if the adaptors will drop to the lowest speed then I guess the best option is to get another pair of AV1200s and just add a simple wifi access point. I wish they sold the AV1200s individually.

TheVoice · 27 Dec 2016 at 16:14

Have you done a speed test between devices to see what speeds you're actually getting? It's entirely possible that adding the AV600 one won't actually make a difference.

bledd · 27 Dec 2016 at 19:03

Can you not just cable the house up, then add ubiquiti wifi points in any wifi deadspots

Rilot · 27 Dec 2016 at 20:24

I can, but I don't really have the time at the moment. I rarely get 10 minutes to myself to actually do anything so embarking on a full cabling job just isn't going to happen, at least until my son starts school.

stoofa · 28 Dec 2016 at 01:14

Until today I've been using a pair of Solwise "piggy" powerline adapters to like my upstairs with my downstairs.
These have performed well - sure they aren't as fast as ethernet, but then either is my 70mb internet connection, and that is why I wanted the link in place - for a Sky+, PS4, WiFi access point all located downstairs.

However today I took the plunge and put in a couple of CAT5E cables (went for an outside run rather than trying to lift floor boards etc).
The CAT5E links are of course showing a much faster connection and I'm not seeing the occasional drop-outs that the powerline adapters had.

If wired is not an option for you, then powerline over WiFi any day of the week. But even if the ethernet run is "hassle" it's got to be worth considering.