Networking via the mains?
 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...=22m4#overview

Right I am a real novice when it comes to computers and have a PC in my bedroom connected to the internet via an NTL cable modem and a long RJ45 (ethernet?) cable from another upstairs room. This has suited me fine until now but my eldest wants to have internet access downstairs and I don't like the idea of using wireless routers (too compicated) so I am wondering if the above devices would enable me to access the internet without using the existing cable in my bedroom and him to do so anywhere else in the house (not necessarily at the same time). To do this would I still need a router or simply connect them via the modem? I also understand they can be used to share files between PCs but would this require additional software?

I've read the FAQ's etc but can't make much sense of them so can anyone explain in simple terms what using these devices would enable me to do and how I would connect them to the PCs, modem etc.

Please keep it simple for me :) Many thanks.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Those will work fine if you just want to connect one computer to another or just go from the modem to one computer.
However in order for you to both share an internet connection (and be on the internet at the same time), you will also need a router.
I presume you are on an virginmedia connection.
you can pick up a wired router for around £30.00.
eg, this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Linksys-Ethe...sbs_ce_title_4

This is how your set up would be:

Virginmedia modem ------> Router

From the router two connections, 1 going to your computer upstairs, the other one going from the router into one of the homeplugs devices.
Then plug your other homeplug device anywhere on your house's main electricity ring.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Thanks for that :tu:

We are on Virgin Broadband and only access the internet via this connection at the moment. We're not heavy users so this is fine for now but it would be nice to be able to have an internet connection downstairs which we could connect to from time to time.

Obviously there'll come a time when being able to have 2 computers on the web at the same time would be useful. Presumably when this happens we could buy a wired router and connect both PCs via that and share the connection? What software would be required to do this?

Cheers!

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

I've got a pair of these (with added wireless capacity), and they do work very well. One word of advise though: The actual throughput you can expect is about 20Mbps,
due to protocol overheads. There's a nice review here.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/hardwa...lwiseplug.html

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

depends on your home wiring also how many you have makes a difference.

I have 200Mbit UPA (different standard) adaptors and when 3 of them are in use I have trouble getting beyond 10- 15Mbit but its probably down to local conditions, lots of Switch Mode PSU's .etc nearby can upset them if to close.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

I've got the devlo ones, and I can get around 75mbs (according to their software)....

I think they work really well, plugged them in and away I went - one of the very few times I've bought something IT related and it's worked straight out of the box

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Erm, yes. 'Maximum thoughput' is more appropriate than 'actual throughput' :)

I manage about 15mbps, wireless. That aside, they are really easy to set up, and rock solid.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Connection speed, I was talking actuall thoughput.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Not on an actual filetransfer presumably?

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Don't forget me you guys !!! ;)

Have no idea what on earth you're going on about :)

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

:)

Basically the kit you linked to claims to connect at 85 Megabit per second. But, that is the connection speed, not the speed with which you can expect to transfer files. Realistically, you can expect 10-15 Megabit per second. If you are on a 20 Meg VM package, this means that the networking kit will be a bottleneck for your downloads. If you are on a lower tier, this shouldn't a problem.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

basically we're saying Don't be fooled by the speed on the Box you will never get that kind of speed.

For instance My powerline adatpors say they are 200Mbit/s on the box.


I have 3 of them , IF 2 are on i can max out my 22Mbit/s Broadband.
As soon as the 3rd one is turned on I only get 10 - 15Mbit/s even though nothing is using the other 5-6Mbit of bandwidth.

Same sort of speed with PC > PC transfers over my Internal network...

The Numbers the Manufacturers quote are always in Ideal conditions (which lets face it who has those :rolleyes:) Overheads also reduce the speed (e.g information that they need to transfer to maintain the link, pass data between eachother.etc)

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

You don't need any software.
As long as all goes through the router and it's all hooked up properly, you are good to go.

It should be a case of power everything off. Connect cable modem to WAN port on router with ethernet cable. Then connect computer upstairs to router with ethernet cable.
Then hook up one of the Homeplug devices to your router with ethernet cable. Then place the other one anywhere round your house. Connect it to your other PC.
Follow any additional instructions that came with the kit.

First switch on modem, wait about 30 seconds, then power on router, wait 30 seconds, then boot up first PC and other devices.
All should be working.

you may need to log into the router to setup access but most of this is straightforward.
You might also need to allow connections on your firewall, but again it should be straight forward and be detailed in the router manual.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

So can I just confirm that if I don't need 2 PC's accessing the internet at the same time or communicating with eachother I could use these devices without a router simply to provide alternative locations for internet access for a single pc.?

Yes I know I am dim but we all have our cross to bear :)

Cheers all!!!

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Yes. Have a look at the third diagram ('Homeplug extension with cable modem) here:

http://www.homeplugs.co.uk/acatalog/diagrams.html

To be honest, you will probably find yourself buying a router at some point. It will give you increased flexibility (connect more computers), but it also gives you added security.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Thanks - you're probably right. My reluctance to use a router is largely due to complexity and security issues as I'm useless at these things and would probably wind up cutting myself off forever.

This begs a question - if I wanted a dual connection to the web would installing a wired modem be a simple plug and go operation or would it also to need to be configured, tweaked or whatever before we could surf away ?

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

To be honest, I've had routers for so long that I don't remember the initial setup. If I remember correctly, the router should come with software that will make the necessary changes to the pcs you want to connect. Alternatively, you can make these changes manually (which is what I do). Either way, it should be a matter of minutes before you get connected to the web. Getting the computers on your network to communicate with each other (to transfer files for instance) can be a bit trickier, but I presume that will not be your first interest.

Regardless, there are plenty people here who will be more than willing to help should you run into trouble, so I'd say Go for it!

Also, if you stick to a wired router, there will be no security issues. Quite the contrary in fact. The router acts as a buffer between you and the web and protects you from attacks from the outside world. There can be security issues with wireless routers (your wireless might get hacked), but if you stick to wired, there are no such risks.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Yes I was aware of the security issues with wireless which why I'd go for wired and why I was interested in these mains devices as they don't even need a router to provide just alternative internet connection elsewhere in the house.

File transfer wouldn't be an issue for us really so I may just try these things out simply to avoid having to run a long cable from the cable modem to my son's bedroom or study.

Does anyone know if the Maplin offer is any good and how these units compare to other similar devices???

Virtual pints on me :)

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Those are the ones I've got, and I'm very happy with them - there were also 99 quid when I got them

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

I don't think there is much difference between the brands. I also have the devolos and am pleased with them. A pair is £73 on ebuyer, so the £70 'offer' at Maplins looks good.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Any chance of you popping over to install them for us?? ;)

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

whereabout are you?

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

The router I linked to is a wired router.
Really easy to setup. In most cases, just plug in, follow simple instructions and good to go.
Wired routers often come built in with a firewall of some kind too so no need to worry.

If you don't use a router the only problem I can see is that you would have to power everything down each time you want to change connections so modem recognises the computer that is connected.

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Hmmm.. Bromley area - I'd happily tell you our address so you can pop round but my wife might run off with you :D


Thanks for that - what you describe is what I occasionally have to do now as I sometimes use an old (W98) PC which I connect to the web via the USB connection on the modem. Since I don't have to do this sort of thing often it's no big issue powering everything off/on and switching connections. If it becomes tiresome I guess then I'd go for the router but I might have a look around in the shops anyway and see what I can find.

Cheers everyone :)

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Hmm you're not actually that far away from me....

is your wife hot? :)

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

Scorching ..... ;)

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

I run 3 of these plugs myself and found them to be the nut's!

http://www.in-home-network.co.uk/hom...5-mbps-3-p.asp

Was initially worried that they were cheaper than most, so the quality might be comprimised... was pleasently proved wrong though! :D

Re: Networking via the mains?
 

I'll be there in 10 minutes!