Quick powerline adaptor (silly) question

NorthstaNder · 14 Nov 2017 at 22:31

I currently use a pair of powerline adaptors. PS4 is connected to it upstairs, and then the downstairs one to my router.

At the weekend I'm moving my tivo box upstairs as well, and will connect that to the powerline adaptor as well (they're dual port).
Will I need another patch cable from the one downstairs to the router, or can I just carry on with the one? My head says one, but I don't really know how these adaptors work other than you just plug them in and they work!

Thanks

Sparx · 14 Nov 2017 at 22:32

You don't need the 2 ports connected downstairs. The one cable from your router to powerline already connected, will carry the ethernet over power throughout the house.

You will just need the one ethernet cable from powerline's 2nd port to your TiVO box.

bremen1874 · 14 Nov 2017 at 22:56

Connecting both ports to the router would actually stop it working (but not break anything).

NorthstaNder · 14 Nov 2017 at 22:56

Cool. Thank you Sparx

edit: and bremen1874

scotslad · 22 Nov 2017 at 00:22

Sparx said:
You don't need the 2 ports connected downstairs. The one cable from your router to powerline already connected, will carry the ethernet over power throughout the house.

You will just need the one ethernet cable from powerline's 2nd port to your TiVO box.

i was wondering about this too, but why is there a need for the powerline adaptor dowstairs to have two ports if one is of no use at all ?

i am not disagreeing with anyone, it's just strange and i wonder why etc, anyone know ?

bremen1874 · 22 Nov 2017 at 00:33

There's no actual need for both adapters to have multiple ports.

They could equally well have supplied a kit containing one single port adapter and one dual port adapter (and there have been kits like that).

It'll be whatever is simpler/cheaper for the manufacturer to do. For example do they even make a single port version of the adapter?

One potential benefit is using the second port at the router end for something local. You aren't then loosing a router port by plugging in the Powerline adapter.

Sparx · 22 Nov 2017 at 18:24

scotslad said:
i was wondering about this too, but why is there a need for the powerline adaptor dowstairs to have two ports if one is of no use at all ?

i am not disagreeing with anyone, it's just strange and i wonder why etc, anyone know ?

Because they might not necessarily be plugged in to the 'router end'. They may be at the other end in the living room, so you can say hook up a console and TV/Sky box?

Or they could even have all the router ports filled, but there's another device within the vicinity that needs connecting at the 'router end' of the powerline plug.

If neither are any use to you, then you just buy the single port plugs and save a few pennies.