Network over the mains starter pack £24.93

Hotblack_Desiato_2

WPA offers better encryption, and 802.11n offers better transfers rates.

if you have Apple Extreme wireless, and I'm sure other wireless vendors offer similar functionaility, you can extend your wireless network by using Aiport Express.

foxyloxy wrote: »

From the manual:

Normally the electric meter forms a physical barrier, i.e. only devices connected to this meter
can be part of the network and benefit from the phase coupling. We strongly recommend that
you use the HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor internal device encryption.
(56 bit DES)

Totoriko

Hotblack_Desiato wrote: »

WPA offers better encryption, and 802.11n offers better transfers rates.

if you have Apple Extreme wireless, and I'm sure other wireless vendors offer similar functionaility, you can extend your wireless network by using Aiport Express.

What are you talking about? This is about non-wireless networking.

Dead_Eye_Jones

Totoriko wrote: »

What are you talking about? This is about non-wireless networking.

I think he's saying that wireless > mains. I disagee.

Hotblack_Desiato wrote: »

WPA offers better encryption, and 802.11n offers better transfers rates.

Thats like saying WPA is better than WEP. Neither are secure so its a pointless debate! Sadly you can download the tools to launch a successful attack from the right "security" sites. I was even suprised to learn restricting your network to specific MAC addresses or IPs wouldnt delay even the script kiddies these days . It can all be spoofed.

On that basis mains networks seem much more secure to me. Especially if in a detached house! I tested it out in my semi, we couldnt get it to work. Shame cos we were gonna share our media resources.

PC Pro looked into speed the other month. Whilst some of the 802.11n routers were able to muster faster speeds in ideal conditions, the mains network outperformed in real world conditions. Unless of course your PC is 1m away from the access point (why use wireless at all!?) you wont see great rates.

Having used both, I found performance far superior with network powerlines, critically for me: reliability. The powerline network works 100% of the time with no packet loss and instant connection all over the house. None of the tedious searching for a signal, fiddling with aerials, high latency, zero signal in the further reaches of the property, etc. And the frustration of the line dropping. I blame the microwave !

If you cant get the ones mentioned, try solwise, they are always great. Shame they dont work in the garden. Or maybe they do...? I have used one succesfully on an extension lead before!

Totoriko

I agree. Whichever encryption you use for your Wifi, it can be cracked using freely available tools.
With homeplug it's definitely secure, unless someone manages to get into your electrical loop AND guess your password. It's not something any next door neighbour can do. Besides, it's not likely that your neighbours will discover that you are using homeplug.
Speed is constant with homeplug, no drop at all with connections - excellent for streaming.

chunter

I've found the Homeplug to be an excellent option in big houses, including detached garages and workshops.
Although I did find with some older models that when the power goes off, you sometimes have to reinstall the software on the base pc to get it to go again.

gromituk

Dead_Eye_Jones wrote: »

Thats like saying WPA is better than WEP. Neither are secure so its a pointless debate!

Well not really - WPA takes a lot longer to crack than WEP, and if you aren't one to leave your access point sitting there eating power 24 hours a day, that would help.

On that basis mains networks seem much more secure to me.

I wouldn't disagree with that.

I tested it out in my semi, we couldnt get it to work.

Probably because you are on a different mains phase to next door so you're not even connected before the meters.

bring1t

chunter wrote: »

I've found the Homeplug to be an excellent option in big houses, including detached garages and workshops.
Although I did find with some older models that when the power goes off, you sometimes have to reinstall the software on the base pc to get it to go again.

Just to clarify this post, you only need to install software if you go down the password route. These devices work straight out of the box!

I have 4 of the 200mbs devices (Devolo) works a treat streaming mocies across my network, i can highly reccomend this technology.

Agent_C

They didn't have these in either of the Sheffield stores today, shame as it would have been ideal for us as our PCs are always dropping connection to the router, and I can pick up my neighbour's wi-fi signal better than our own - one of the downsides of living in a thinly-walled terrace...

Odd thing though is that I have a PDA with a cheapie wifi card from fleabay and that always has a consistent and strong connection to our router - strange.

Chriswil

I used to have reliability problems with my pc, and was considering buying a powerline solution. The I got a MacBook Pro as a 30th birthday present.

I can honestly say that I have never had a problem and the connection is rock solid over wifi. Also my laptop hasn't been restarted since May and is used every day.

Security issues etc there may be, but in terms of reliability there isn't an issue. Save your money (well probably pay out a bit more for a mbp) and dump your windows only machine and get a real machine that runs vista in a window and enjoy Apples far superior operating system...

Wired solution really isn't needed as I get a solid connection over 802.11g and my internet connection is only 1Mbps...

Totoriko

Chriswil wrote: »

I used to have reliability problems with my pc, and was considering buying a powerline solution. The I got a MacBook Pro as a 30th birthday present.

I can honestly say that I have never had a problem and the connection is rock solid over wifi. Also my laptop hasn't been restarted since May and is used every day.

Security issues etc there may be, but in terms of reliability there isn't an issue. Save your money (well probably pay out a bit more for a mbp) and dump your windows only machine and get a real machine that runs vista in a window and enjoy Apples far superior operating system...

Wired solution really isn't needed as I get a solid connection over 802.11g and my internet connection is only 1Mbps...

So your advice to avoid paying a more secure connection at £25 is to buy a £1300 Macbook Pro?
Superb