Powerline Networking?

Kamran

Hey all, hope you're well.

I recently switched to Virgin Fibre Optic broadband and have been getting great speeds (60Mbps) when connected to the router via ethernet cable, but considerably less (30-35Mbps) when using wifi. Whilst I'm happy with even 30Mbps, would Powerline Networking help in boosting the speeds up to the 60Mbps I'm getting via ethernet at the router?

My understanding is that the router connects to the Powerline adaptor via ethernet which is plugged into the mains. My laptop connects via ethernet to a similar device plugged into any other mains of my choice around the home. My questions is, how much of a speed boost would this give me? Hopefully take me to the 60Mbps?

thanks very much!

K

wongataa

With powerline networking you should be able to get the full 60Mbps that the router provides.

Cycrow

it can depend on your wiring, but in general, they are usually better than wifi.

if possible, it'll be better to run a cable instead

Tharweb

I recently upgraded to BT Infinity 2 and found that despite my powerline adapters alleging they could deliver 200Mb/sec, they did not perform any better than I could get over wifi which is around 40Mb/sec.

After doing some research, it seems powerline adapters don't perform as well as they should with FTTC.

I was considering upgrading to the 500Mb/sec models, but this would prove costly and wouldn't guarantee any improvement on the speed. So, in the end I installed cat6 ethernet cables, which cost a fraction of the price and guarantee to deliver the full 74Mb/sec I should be getting.

If you can route a cable to the device I would advise this.

Kamran

wongataa wrote: »

With powerline networking you should be able to get the full 60Mbps that the router provides.

Thanks for all your advice. I have 2 questions!

1) I have 2 devices side by side that I would prefer to connect via ethernet cable - can the powerline support 2 devices? (via some sort of ethernet splitter?) or must I purchase 2 poweline adaptors.

2) does it matter that they will be at the end of extension power cables?

thanks again!:T

getmore4less

there are multiport versions or get a switch.

Weird_Nev

Kamran wrote: »

2) does it matter that they will be at the end of extension power cables?

thanks again!:T

Using them on any kind of extension cord will massively degrade their performance.

Seriously, look into running Cat 5 cable between your router and the devices.

wongataa

Kamran wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice. I have 2 questions!

1) I have 2 devices side by side that I would prefer to connect via ethernet cable - can the powerline support 2 devices? (via some sort of ethernet splitter?) or must I purchase 2 poweline adaptors.

2) does it matter that they will be at the end of extension power cables?

thanks again!:T

You can get powerline devices with multiple network ports. I have two of that type myself.

Using powerline adpators on extension leads will most likely degrade performance. They all say to plug them into the wall if possible. I've used them on extension leads and got a big speed boost when I plugged them into the wall instead.

WTFH

If you've got an old router (wireless or wired), you can connect it using an ethernet cable into the powerline adaptor and hey presto, you have a few ports and even another wireless network.

As for speeds, it's worth remembering that to watch live streaming HD TV you only need about 3Mb/s, so when the you go up to 100+Mb, unless you are watching TV while hosting a webcam, donwloading videos and playing online games all at the same time, you're not going to be anywhere near maxing out the performance available to you.

Kamran

WTFH wrote: »

If you've got an old router (wireless or wired), you can connect it using an ethernet cable into the powerline adaptor and hey presto, you have a few ports and even another wireless network.

As for speeds, it's worth remembering that to watch live streaming HD TV you only need about 3Mb/s, so when the you go up to 100+Mb, unless you are watching TV while hosting a webcam, donwloading videos and playing online games all at the same time, you're not going to be anywhere near maxing out the performance available to you.

That's a fantastic idea! thanks!

So I could use the powerline adaptor below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-PA411KIT-AV500-Powerline-Adapter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1380298399&sr=1-1&keywords=powerLine

and connect that via ethernet cable to my old O2 router, which would act as a ethernet splitter (and as a wireless router extender, if i so wish, as you said), and that would work perfectly fine!?

Lastly, do I need to use "cat 5" ethernet cables? The ones that are usually shipped with laptops, routers, playstations and other such items - are these usually cat 5? The speed test I did with my router that got me 60Mbps was using a standard yellow ethernet cable.

Thanks again!

neilwoods

You will never get the full speed of any powerline plugs, it is a theoretical speed.

yes use the o2 router as a switch, never buy a double splitter, they don't work for what you want.

Cat 5 will run at 100mps, cat 5e can go to 1000mps depending on the length, cat 6 is 1000mps