Homeplugs - Any Good?

littlebert · 06-09-2007, 11:21

Hey all, I'm new here.
Was just wondering if anyone on here uses Homeplugs to network in the home.
Was thinking of trying them to hook up two pc's and the xbox 360 so the question is: Are they any good? What sort of price should i be paying? I've seen a load on line but they vary from Ã‚Â£45 - Ã‚Â£145, how much did you pay for yours and was it a worthwile investment?
Cheers

06-09-2007, 11:32

Welcome to the forum

It seems to be you get what you pay for, after reading a review in a Webuser I would be inclined to go for a high speed top end spec set..

Like these..

Mr_love_monkey · 06-09-2007, 11:37

Do they have to be on the same circuit? - I was under the impression they need to be on the same ring to work, so if your upstairs sockets are on a different ring main / breaker to your downstairs one, there's no connection? - or am I wrong/stupid?

danielf · 06-09-2007, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

<snip> or am I wrong/stupid?

Do you really want us to answer that? (Hint: think very carefully before answering)

Mr_love_monkey · 06-09-2007, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Do you really want us to answer that? (Hint: think very carefully before answering)

Hmm... good point...

---------- Post added at 13:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Do they have to be on the same circuit? - I was under the impression they need to be on the same ring to work, so if your upstairs sockets are on a different ring main / breaker to your downstairs one, there's no connection?

Anyone? - as this is what has stopped me getting some of these, and relying on (flaky) wireless - if someone can clarify that would be great..

TheNorm · 06-09-2007, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlebert

...Was just wondering if anyone on here uses Homeplugs to network in the home...

Yes, they work brilliantly. I have one near my router, and others in the rest of the house and garage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Do they have to be on the same circuit? - I was under the impression they need to be on the same ring to work, so if your upstairs sockets are on a different ring main / breaker to your downstairs one, there's no connection? - or am I wrong/stupid?

I don't think they need to be on the same ring, but they won't work beyond your electricity meter. There is also a degradation of signal over distance, but this is probably only important if you live in a stately home.

A useful article can be found here: http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline-intro.htm

Aragorn · 06-09-2007, 13:29

MLM,
Not used it my self, but afaik this isn't a problem.
eg the Wiki page points out

Quote:

Since the signals may travel a short distance outside the user's residence or business ... HomePlug includes the ability to set an encryption password

which implies the signal will go beyond your fuse box.

TheNorm · 06-09-2007, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

... implies the signal will go beyond your fuse box.

From http://www.im2web.co.uk/Homeplugs.htm:

Quote:

Q. How secure are HomePlugs?
A. Most premises are supplied with electricity at a different 'phase' to adjoining premises - HomePlug signals transmit along a single phase only - so it is unlikely that your neighbour can access your data. But if you are very concerned about security bear in mind that the HomePlug standard (and hence all HomePlugs) have built in 56Bit DES encryption technology. In short we don't think security should be an issue here!

Mr_love_monkey · 06-09-2007, 15:01

Ok, another probably daft question - can I run the network cable from one of these homeplugs into a standard network hub - and run several machines off there - I don't need a 'homeplug' hub or soemthing, do i?

---------- Post added at 15:01 ---------- Previous post was at 14:24 ----------

also how do they deal with powersurges?

dragon · 06-09-2007, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Ok, another probably daft question - can I run the network cable from one of these homeplugs into a standard network hub - and run several machines off there - I don't need a 'homeplug' hub or soemthing, do i?

---------- Post added at 15:01 ---------- Previous post was at 14:24 ----------

also how do they deal with powersurges?

Yes you can mine goes via an 8 port belkin switch without any issues.

No idea not had one and i'd rather not thanks.
Although they don't like the surge protectors they have to be on an unprotected socket

I have a pair of the Zyxel 85mbit/s ones.

Although I might swap them for some 200mbit/s adaptors (which aren't homeplug but some other powerline standard

) since i'm thinking of getting BT vision and i think it comes with a couple in the box or so i've heard.

Mr_love_monkey · 07-09-2007, 07:41

ok, all things being well I shall go and get some today.

...and if they don't work as expected, you're all in a _lot_ of trouble

07-09-2007, 07:47

if you buy them online you have distance selling you can try them and if they do not do as you wish send them back and just lose postage.

Ive set up a few networks using these and think first posted about them some 2 years ago or more maybe

Mr_love_monkey · 07-09-2007, 07:58

gonna pop down to maplins see if they have them

DocDutch · 07-09-2007, 11:42

mlm let me know how that went after a powersurge

would love to know if this is save cuz then I might be tempted with it.

dragon · 07-09-2007, 18:03

Someone on the newsgroups at work said they had theirs on a surge protected extension lead and it was working fine.