Broadband LAN through mains, Maplin - techies, please advise!!

zzzLazyDaisy

I currently have a wireless LAN using Linksys and am having no end of trouble with poor signal quality.

I found this on the Maplin site. I don't understand how it works (but it isn't difficult to confuse me!). Before I go and make another expensive mistake, please could someone have a look and comment on it for me??

Many thanks

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46494&C=Newsletter&U=P8-2&T=11950247

Joe_Bloggs

I've just found out that Linksys are a division of Cisco systems so they must have been a good company before they were bought up ? Can you describe your wireless situation ? What products/devices are involved. What distances and materials. Are there competing wireless networks ? What makes you think that the products are at fault. Can you use a network cable and avoid all this wireless grief ?
J_B.

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi I have a laptop which I use in three different rooms, I don't want cables all over the house, and I like the freedom to use the laptop where I please.

Unfortunately I know the Linksys is at fault because the LT works fine at my sisters (also a wireless lan). And having done some belated research I now know the WAG54G has a reputation for being unreliable.

Which is why I am loking at other options.....

Joe_Bloggs

Well at least we know the product in question (Linksys WAG54G). Do you know what setup your sister has that works so well with your setup. Perhaps there is an upgrade for your device in the works. If all else fails swap houses with your sister.
J_B. (In jest. Emoticons are to be patented by M$oft so I wont use them).

zzzLazyDaisy

Yes, she has a D-link router.....

But what I want to know is does anyone know anything about these mains LAN gizmos from Maplin (see original post for link)?

Thanks

esuhl

You plug a network card into your PCs (if they haven't already got them), connect the network card to these "mains LAN gizmos", and plug them in to different mains sockets in your house.

The gizmos send signals to each other across the mains network. Obviously they alter the voltage/current by minute quantities so that ordinary electrical equipment isn't affected (delicate pieces of electronics have special circuits to clean the mains power anyway).

As I said, the signal is quite small, so it's possible that your neighbours could use these devices to connect to your network, or, if you live in a very large house, you might not be able to connect two computers that are at opposite ends of the building.

I haven't had any personal experience of them, but I'm told they aren't quite as reliable as conventionally wired network.

Hope this helps... :-)

Hunnymonster

They superimpose the LAN signal onto the mains cable in the house - seem to work ok by all accounts in most cases - if you have an old fridge or freezer, you may get occasional dropouts as the motor kicks in and wipes out the LAN signals.

Back to your Linksys - have you got the latest firmware on it ? I'd be surprised if the Linksys isn't better than the D-Link (or as they tend to be called in our office at work "delink" on account of their poor performance).

Are you sure the wireless channel you've picked is free in your area (ie. there's not someone else next door running their WLAN on the same channel) - something like NetStumbler would help you find that out - and also give you an idea if there's a part of your house that's interfering with the signal - and you maybe able to relocate the Linksys to provide better coverage (the nearer the centre of the area you wish to serve the better)

boogiemaster

I have two computers and they are both on the net, I have a wireless belkin router.
The modem cable goes into the router and from port one of the router into my LAN connection on my computer.
My second pc has a Belkin wireless network card that picks up the router in my bedroom.
The second pc is in my daughter’s bedroom and gets a signal of 110 MBS signal strength, the signal is always on 4-5 bars.

It looks like you have your main computer set up using wireless, and the the electric plug sockets pickup the transmission from the pc and using a lan cable to connect to a computer or laptop.
It says upto 14 megs a second? I doubt it will be about 4-5 plus electric interference.


My setup is really good and it wasn’t a lot of money? I put the disks in and under two mins I was up and running.

zzzLazyDaisy

boogiemaster wrote:

I have two computers and they are both on the net, I have a wireless belkin router.My setup is really good and it wasn’t a lot of money? I put the disks in and under two mins I was up and running.

Hello, thanks for this. I used to be on NTL, and used a Belkin Router with no problems at all. At my new house NTL wasn't available, and the modem that came with my new ADSL BB didn't have anywhere for the Belkin Router to plug into. I was advised to get an ADSL modem/router, rather than just a new modem for the Belkin Router. It made sense to me at the time - less boxes/wires etc... but the system has never been satisfactory.

Maybe I will invest in a new modem and go back to Belkin....

.... all I want is a system that works without constantly dropping out... its not much to ask, is it????