Ethernet over powerline adapters

[Thud]

Why didn't I discover these before?

Sure beats running cat5 all over the place when you need to get internet from one side of the house to the other and the WiFi connection is flaky.

Got the TrendNet 200MBps units. About 70 bucks for a pair.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by Thud

Why didn't I discover these before?

Sure beats running cat5 all over the place when you need to get internet from one side of the house to the other and the WiFi connection is flaky.

Got the TrendNet 200MBps units. About 70 bucks for a pair.

Does this shit really work? That concept has been around since the mid-late '90's. I've never seen it in practice.

[lander]

Originally Posted by datawiz

Does this shit really work? That concept has been around since the mid-late '90's. I've never seen it in practice.

You just found in-house cell phone boosters you n0ob.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by datawiz

Does this shit really work? That concept has been around since the mid-late '90's. I've never seen it in practice.

I had my doubts too, but then one of our network engineers at work got some. So I figured it must be good enough for us normal people too.

The only caveat is that you have to plug them directly into a socket, not into a power strip or extension cord. Some of the more expensive ones have an AC socket built in so that you don't lose one socket.

But they're pretty much idiot proof. Pure f**ing magic actually.

I didn't do a LAN bandwidth test, but I did confirm I was able to get my full internet speed (18Mbps) at the far end, with the same ping I had over WiFi. Now I can stream HD youtube videos where I couldn't previously.

I thought that all the adapters had to be on the same circuit breaker, but they only have to be on the same breaker panel. So anywhere in the house if you have just one breaker panel.


Now, if you're paranoid, you'll want to use the utility to change the default password, to prevent somebody from using the same model adapter you have, and plugging into your outdoor AC outlet and sniffing your packets. All the traffic is encrypted though, and each box can only decrypt the traffic meant for it (I think).

I wonder how well these handle thunderstorms.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by lander

You just found in-house cell phone boosters you n0ob.

True.

[MEANZ06]

ive been looking at this, WD has some slick stuff...

WD Livewire

[Rotorhead]

Hmmmmm.... that would definately eliminate the need for my ass to get in the attic and run cat 5.

[GS Ragtop]

I like that idea for a camera on the deck of the lake house. I've been wondering how I was going to get either Cat5 or Coax to that spot...

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Thud

The only caveat is that you have to plug them directly into a socket, not into a power strip or extension cord. Some of the more expensive ones have an AC socket built in so that you don't lose one socket.

But they're pretty much idiot proof. Pure f**ing magic actually.

So I could plug it in by my router and get online in my shed? ( yes, I have electric in my shed ) Make wrenching on the cub cadets easier when I need to look up something online

[Rotorhead]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

So I could plug it in by my router and get online in my shed? ( yes, I have electric in my shed ) Make wrenching on the cub cadets easier when I need to look up something online

Wonder what the bit rate loss is over extended distances.

[mrvette]

14 years here, and TWO almost direct lightening strikes.....got news...

the only way to have 1/2 a prayer is with a suppression strip on the input, and a 1-1 power transformer of about a KW rating....then another strip on the output that THEN powers your electronics....

otherwise you have sex without benefit....if you get my drift....

[Thud]

Originally Posted by MEANZ06

ive been looking at this, WD has some slick stuff...

WD Livewire

Oh, I really like that form factor, it looks more flexible (plus the built-in 4-port switch is nice). Looks like it's limited to 100Mbps though.

I already have a gigabit network in my basement, but my modem and WiFi router are next to the U-Verse jack on a different level of the house (and the opposite end). So I basically just needed a way to get some Internet into my mancave since WiFi wasn't working very well.