Problems setting up powerline homeplugs.....

aliEnRIK

Id guess the problem is the MAC code then

What this means is you would need to plug directly into the router via an ethernet cable and log into the router

Im not upto speed with the WebSTAR routers ~ but I believe you put (if default)

192.168.100.1

Into the ADDRESS BAR of your browser
Then go through the pages to setup to allow the MAC code/s of the plugs your using

johnnytee

Thanks for your help. Will give it a try and let you know.

Leopard

:j But what make and model are your POWERLINE ADAPTORS ?

People helping you need to know this.

It's also possible, as timbim, has already pointed out, that (for one reason or another) they don't like the wiring in your premises or the manner in which it is wired.

Start by taking your laptop and powerline adaptor B downstairs, close to the router and powerline adaptor A.

Write down, as aliEnRIK has already advised you, the unique MAC number that will (or should) be on a sticker attached somewhere to each powerline adaptor. These will be different numbers - that's the whole purpose of having them. They may be called "MAC" (which is nothing to do with Apple Macs) or "ID". Each will be a string of twelve numbers and letters, usually commencing with 00 and sometimes grouped into six pairs separated by colons. You may or may not need these two numbers to sort out the problem but it's as well to make a note of them while you have the adaptors held in your hand because if you do need them at a later stage you won't want to have to scrabble about on the floor with a torch and a mirror to try and read them when they're plugged into the wall (particularly if they're behind a sofa or a desk). :cool:

Now plug both the powerline adaptors into a single four-gang extension lead. (Or, if it's logistically convenient, into the same double-socket on a wall). This will eliminate the factor of the wiring in the premises.

One they're powered up, you need to see if they work and can communicate with each other without introducing the factor of the router.

The mere fact that their lights are "on" doesn't, in itself, confirm that. It depends what colour(s) the lights are showing.

If they are not communicating with each other properly in this setup. one or other of the powerline adaptors may be faulty. (And, if that is so, you may very well be unable to tell which of the two this is - you'd need to have three, to do that, unless one of them is obviously dead.) So, you'd have to return both of them for replacement.

The next step, if they seem to be paired and communicating with each other off the same mains socket, is to attach a computer to each one by means of Ethernet leads and see if the two computers network by this powerline equivalent of a cross-over patch lead without involving the router at all.

If that works, then the problem has been isolated to the manner in which the router is currently configured. (Unless the router itself has suddenly developed a fault.)

I am somewhat dubious about your problem being caused by MAC filtering. If you don't know what MAC filtering is, self-evidently you will not have switched it on when you first set up your router and if your router has been working with your laptop prior to you purchasing the powerline adaptors it obviously didn't come with MAC filtering enabled by default (because, if it had, it cannot have known the MAC ID of your laptop and would thus not have permitted it access hitherto).

johnnytee

I put that into the address bar. It pulled up the info about my router. However suppling MAC code/s I'm afraid I don't know where to start. I fear it is beyond my caperbilities!

aliEnRIK

Leopards right there. You can (if its not needed), take the router completely out of the equation and use JUST the modem

johnnytee

I now have the MAC codes should they be needed. I have both home plugs connected to a double mains socket. All indicator lights are showing green for go.

johnnytee

You are correct leopard, I have no idea what MAC filtering is. Also the laptop has been working fine with the router.

Logisticaly I am unable to connect two computers to together in the manner suggested.

Is refiguring the router an option?

Leopard

WHAT IS THE MAKE AND MODEL NUMBER OF YOUR POWERLINE ADAPTORS ?

And from whom did you purchase them?

Every network device (computer, mobile 'phone, printer, everything) has its own, unique MAC number (unless it has been cloned).

Indeed, every networking device on your computer has its own, unique MAC number (its Ethernet card, its wi-fi card, its Bluetooth card, and all the others).

MAC filtering is a security measure that most routers provide which you can enable (or not) if you wish. In a menu somewhere on the router you enter the MAC numbers of every device you want to network (and some computers, as explained, have several). The router then denies access to your network by any device (e.g. your neighbours', if it's wireless) that is not on its list.

If you deploy MAC filtering on your router, unless you add the MAC numbers of new devices that you purchase - such as powerline adaptors - to its access list, it won't permit them access to your network.

So, if you connect a computer to a powerline adaptor by an Ethenet lead, both the MAC number of the computer's Ethernet card and the MAC number of the powerline adaptor need to be on the router's access list.

(For a computer with both a wi-fi card and an Ethernet card, you need to have both their MAC numbers stored on the access list, so that you can connect it to the router by either method.)

If the lights are showing green on the powerline adaptors, you'd expect the activity light to flash every so often, even when no device is attached to them. It indicates that the two adaptors are checking routinely that they're still in contact with each other.

Without knowing just what make and model of powerline adaptors you actually have, nor from where you bought them, it's difficult for anyone to progress further in assisting you.

johnnytee

Eeeeek! What an idiot I am. After a little research,What I've been calling a router is actually an external modem (I know, I know) I just assumed when it was installed that it was a router and the modem was internal (You see now why I need help!)
So, Homeplug(a) connected to mains.Then to computer. Homeplug (b)connected to mains, then to ethernet socket on modem.

The Homeplugs have the logo newlink on the box, supplied by a company called Faculty-x. Model # NL-HP200DL

The modem is a WebSTAR dpx 100

I need a drink!

Leopard

Well, that disposes of the MAC factor. :rolleyes:

With only one computer, you don't need a router at all but it's possible you may need to use a crossover lead instead of a patch lead at one end.

This revelation doesn't explain why you can't connect to the Internet, though.

The way to look at a pair of powerline adaptors is that they are like using a long Ethernet lead between two devices - they just use the electrical wiring of the premises instead of having a length of cable in the middle.

Don't discount the possibility that one (or more) of the powerline adaptors is faulty.