Wireless or ethernet over power.

davetherave2 · 4 Apr 2008 at 14:15

So which is better for me.

I currently have a Linksys WRT54GS router that currently has a cable going upstairs to the office.

Now I stream a lot of stuff to my 360 from the PC and find 54G a little slow for getting that crisp streaming experience certainly when streaming hd files.

so should I get the
Linksys
WMP54GSUK (speed booster card operating at 108Mbps) or get a power over ethernet connection and which one. I see these seem to come in a variety of speeds would say the 85Mbps be good enough?

Visage · 4 Apr 2008 at 14:18

Depends on wether you speed is tech limited or limited by the environemnt its operating in...

davetherave2 · 4 Apr 2008 at 14:23

well my current network setup is this

virgin media 20MB > WRT54GS router

connected to router:

WD Mybook 1TB
Xbox 360
Wii (wireless)
Mini Mac (wireless)

netgear 1GB switch (which is in office hence long cable)

connected to the switch

PC
MiniMac (ethernet port)

now the office is straight over the living room so always get an excellent signal.

Visage · 4 Apr 2008 at 14:25

What transfer rates do you get when transferring a file from the living room to the office?

davetherave2 · 4 Apr 2008 at 14:39

I have just tested it if I copy a 174MB file over wireless it takes about 70 seconds if i do it with the cable then it takes 30 seconds.

if i want to do anything large say 1GB plus then it takes a while over wireless.

NickR · 4 Apr 2008 at 17:04

I replaced wireless with Netger HDX101 on one of my PC's which was farthest from the router to get rid of slow speed and 'limited connectivity' messages.

Been absolutely great since then

Mercutio · 4 Apr 2008 at 17:15

Big vote for the powerline/power over ethernet solution here. I use a pair of 85mbps solwise adapaters and so far had them work without issue. If your after "as good as cat5" solution theres several 200mbps versions available now.
They CAN be a bit fiddly adding more adapters into a network (had a pair to start with and bought another pair recently to go with a house move) but an hrs head-scratching had them sorted.

davetherave2 · 4 Apr 2008 at 17:37

so could I just plug the net plug straight into my switch or will it have to go into my pc?

tolien · 4 Apr 2008 at 17:52

By "net plug", you mean the cable coming out of your modem?
If so then no, you still need a router - the WRT54GS will do fine, just disable/don't use the wireless.

NickR · 5 Apr 2008 at 07:34

Plug powerline adapters into mains sockets - one near to your router / ethernet switch with the Broadband connection and the other where you need the remote connection - your office.

Connect the main powerline adaptor to router / ethernet switch and your X-box / computer in the office to the remote powerline adapter, using CAT 5 patch leads.

If you need more ethernet ports in the office, use another ethernet switch connected to the powerline adaptor.