Network plugs

**the phantom pieman** · 02-01-13, 10:37

Has any used the plug systems that allow you to you the electical cabling in the house as a network?

Such as
TP-Link TL-PA211KIT 200Mbps Mini Powerline Ethernet Adapter -

Do they work or are they total cack?

**cheb** · 02-01-13, 10:41

Yep. I've used devolo wireless/wired plugs and they are IMO fantastic. Ah the joys of metre thick stone walls and steel plates in the upstairs floor than conspire to block any signal from a wireless router.

Mine are the dark blue ones. I'll find the model number when I'm not using it

**the phantom pieman** · 02-01-13, 10:43

Originally Posted by cheb

Yep. I've used devolo wireless/wired plugs and they are IMO fantastic. Ah the joys of metre thick stone walls and steel plates in the upstairs floor than conspire to block any signal from a wireless router.

Mine are the dark blue ones. I'll find the model number when I'm not using it

If you could that would be great !

**cheb** · 02-01-13, 10:45

No model number on it. It's a wireless one but also has an ethernet socket in the base.

There's other that are also plug through versions, i.e. it plugs into the socket and has another 240v 3 pin socket on the front.

I think there are also ethernet cable only versions.

**Loz** · 02-01-13, 11:30

I use a pair of ZyXEL ones to extend my copper network down to the PS3. Works fine. I also have a similar jobber for the phone line into the Sky+ box.

**Mr OCD** · 02-01-13, 12:22

Originally Posted by Loz

I use a pair of ZyXEL ones to extend my copper network down to the PS3. Works fine. I also have a similar jobber for the phone line into the Sky+ box.

Yep I've used these for years...

**mallett** · 02-01-13, 13:36

Yes. 200mb tp link ones. Pack of 2 about £35. I get 100mbs connection speeds in a old victorian house with dodgy wiring.

**Mosschops13** · 02-01-13, 13:40

Only comment I would make is DO NOT mix and match - make sure models are a matched pair, not all homeplug stuffs plays nice!

I took the other route for my WiFi hostile home and ran CAT5 everywhere with a Wireless access point in the lounge for convenience.

**the phantom pieman** · 02-01-13, 17:27

And if you use them , I presume I can still run my wireless (for iphones, iPads etc)
And do you have to connect directly to the router - or can I move to a place in the middle of the house to get a spread of signal , and connect via the plug socket network?

**cheb** · 02-01-13, 18:21

Dunno too much about the above.

Mine goes ISP thingy box>dumb switch>router>firewall>homeplug into a socket>wireless signal from homeplugs dotted about the house.

I know the above probably looks terrible from an installer's PoV but it's what works. The ISP box wouldn't talk to the firewall here so it had to have a router as an interpreter. I know someone further north on a different part of the ISP's network who can plug their identical firewall in and it'll work. The ISP won't discuss anything technical other than one computer plugged straight into their box. They are getting better, up until a couple of years ago the computer had to run Windows as they didn't know anything about other OSs.

**cheb** · 02-01-13, 18:28

Mine look like this but with UK pins:

An El Reg review here:

Devolo dLAN Wireless Extender ? Reg Hardware

**wheelnut** · 03-01-13, 08:56

All much of a muchness but I get all mine from here HomePlug & Powerline - from ::: 200Mbps - £20.00. Good support and if you ask him nicely he'll preconfigure any wireless ones with an ssid and pw of your choice.

**mallett** · 03-01-13, 12:50

Originally Posted by the phantom pieman

And if you use them , I presume I can still run my wireless (for iphones, iPads etc)
And do you have to connect directly to the router - or can I move to a place in the middle of the house to get a spread of signal , and connect via the plug socket network?

Yes and Yes. The homeplug connects via ethernet cable to the router port then to the homeplug, that then gets plugged in the power socket.. Plug the other in where you want, connect cable to client. Job done.

**Slenver** · 03-01-13, 16:33

I have the Devolo wireless ones, so the I have a plug connected to the router in the study and then the other plug in the living room that dishes out three ethernet cables as well as wi-fi. I have no choice but to have the router where it is and get a terrible wireless signal in the living room otherwise, so I now have PS3, AppleTV connected by cable for maximumness and then a full wi-fi signal for everything else.

Just need another one at the back of the flat now but can't be bothered to fork out.