Homeplug / Switch Question

22-04-2009, 20:12

Hi,

If I was to purchase some of these (link: Max Value 85 Mbps Home Plug Double Unit Pack), could I put a LAN switch at the "remote" end and have multiple devices accessing the network over them?

I'm assuming it's just a bog standard ethernet connection, so it should work?

Cheers
Lee

Graham M · 22-04-2009, 20:50

Yep, will work fine

It's basically just replacing a piece of CAT5 with your power lines

Jon T · 22-04-2009, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

I'm assuming it's just a bog standard ethernet connection, so it should work?

Correct

However, be carefull what you plug into the switch as everything will be using the 86Mb/s mains link to get back to the rest of your network.

danielf · 22-04-2009, 20:52

And the 85Mbps is grossly overrated. Depending on the state of your wiring you can hope for 25Mb throughput at most. Around 15 is more realistic.

22-04-2009, 21:06

Only going to plug in a BluRay player for firmware for occasional firmware updates and a laptop which will be used occasionaly for iPlayer - which does not stream well over wireless.

So are you saying that the bandwidth is worse when compared to wi-fi???

danielf · 22-04-2009, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

So are you saying that the bandwidth is worse when compared to wi-fi???

It can be, yes. The overheads for the homeplug protocol are quite high, and poor wiring will affect throughput as well. They are rock solid mind. No dropouts or anything. So they may well serve your purpose. Just don't expect 85Mb speeds.

22-04-2009, 21:22

So if iPlayer won't stream over wi-fi, there's even less hope over homeplug devices?

danielf · 22-04-2009, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

So if iPlayer won't stream over wi-fi, there's even less hope over homeplug devices?

I wouldn't say that. The speed may be less (or the same if you're lucky), but you're more likely to get a consistent speed. I'd give them a shot. At £40 you've got little to lose. Wireless in my house was so bad, I had trouble streaming MP3s, mainly because of speed fluctuations in wireless. The homeplugs solved that once and for all.

xtopher · 22-04-2009, 23:05

I'm using a D-Link 635 n router and it streams iPlayer to my laptop upstairs fine. Admittedly I have plasterboard walls everywhere but it's pretty rock solid.

23-04-2009, 18:50

We have a new house also with paper walls (ok - plasterboard / stud walls) and it's a bit russish and jumpy here...

Graham M · 23-04-2009, 19:38

Have you tried a different Wireless Frequency?