I'd like to echo the question above about whether they work across separate ring mains - so could I plug one in downstairs and another in upstairs (different circuits) and have them talk to each other?
Originally Posted by Flibblebot I'd like to echo the question above about whether they work across separate ring mains - so could I plug one in downstairs and another in upstairs (different circuits) and have them talk to each other?
The ones I have work fine like that. Much better than to wireless network connection I tried (a brick built house).
I did find I got a better connection speed if I plugged them directly into the wall socket (even via a multiway adapter plug), rather than into a 2m extension lead. There wasnt that much differance though, 10-15Mbits as I recall so the connection was reported as 65-70Mbits.
PS This was with the Devolo version. I later tried the other version when a collegue at work bought some and found them to connect slightly faster.
Originally Posted by yahooadam right so how would you power it, a generator ? they don't produce a very smooth output anyway
My dad is the hi-fi freak in the house (I'm not allowed a dimmer switch :( and this would certainly be banned) he has Russ Andrews extension leads, the hi-fi has a special filter on it, and there are about 5 mains smoother's in the house too
even the fluorescent lights have digital starters, because they are much cleaner
You may mock but battery power for sources does happen in high end hi fi. My DAC (Pink Traingle DaCapo) had a battery version. The quality of mains power causes a huge headache so a battery that is being trickle charged is a solution, if a somewhat expensive and cumbersome one.
Originally Posted by Sim0n Chances of these being "hacked" into by a next door neighour attempting to use one a set in his house ? (yes im being blonde)
Excellent point. I read terms like inherent security, but i have to ask, if there's no encryption set up, how do we know our data is secured?
I mean, if you lived in a terraced house, or flat, what's stopping someone from connecting / snooping your network by purchasing an similar plug?
Is the electricty meter sufficient in providing a barrier? surely that is the case if the electricty is switched off! but when the electricty is on, then the circuit has to allow "electricity" into the premises?
Now, perhaps i should have asked this question before purchasing the Solwise kit! ... On the up side, it was truly *PLUG 'n' PLAY*, i didn't even use the supplied CD, and so far, i'm very impressed, but i'd love to know more about the security implications.
Originally Posted by mattyt I remember someone that had plugs based on this technology like, 4 years ago. You could use your PC to control on/off at a plug socket.
Not sure if he ever used it for anything more than freaking out visitors.
No, that's X10 technology, which has been around for years. It's just serial control over electrical wiring.
This is networking over electrical wiring, which is considerably more faster than X10. It too has been around for a number of years, but this is the first time that they are available with decent speeds (up until now, 14Mbps was the theoretical maximum available).
Originally Posted by Libero Excellent point. I read terms like inherent security, but i have to ask, if there's no encryption set up, how do we know our data is secured?
I mean, if you lived in a terraced house, or flat, what's stopping someone from connecting / snooping your network by purchasing an similar plug?
Reading the original review, "by using the install CD, you can set up a password to encrypt data and stop people from adding unauthorised modules to your network...". The other factors are the limited range (200m) and the chance that the folks next door are on a different supply phase. A meter alone would be no barrier as far as I can see, so in, say, a block of flats the password should be used. In fact IMO the password should be used full stop unless it really slows things down. :?
After finding out that my Netgear router doesn't work too well with ADSLmax, I'm not sure I'll be buying anything from them again.
Although, of course, if someone wants to send me a couple to review, I could be persuaded to put my prejudices aside :D
I bought the netgear ones and covered them Here a little bit down the post I covered things like latency etc, despite being initially disappointed because the speeds were nowhere near advertised I am very happy with them for my media PC though I only see about 40Mbps in my scenario, its still much better than wifi for streaming MPEG video etc than wireless was, Wifi just couldn't cut it.
So, in reality, the 200Mbps kit from Netgear, which retails at around £125 per pair, isn't any better than the 85Mbps kit from Solwise or Devolo, which retail at less than £100 per pair.
Its hard to say really as I have seen reviews where the Netgear stuff is faster as the DS2 chipset is apparently better but it seems Powerline networkings effectiveness depends on your wiring, most reviews of 85Mbps show nowhere near the bit-tech review, interestingly even Solwises own review of their kit (bottom of first linked page below )doesn't match the bit-tech review, so doubt I'd trust numbers in Bit-tech review in this case?
Originally Posted by BioSniper ...Imo this review wasn't a review at all because it didn't really cover anything you can't already find out via google. Felt too much like a "yep, we plugged it in and it seems to work" type thing :(
I too would like to hear about latency on these, and how much latency is added by plugging one of these into a 4/6-way extension rather than straight into the socket.
I have been selling a lot of these at work from various manufacturers (Zyxel, Dynamode and the reviewed models) and have to say that providing the cabling is sound they are a great solution, especially for people in listed buildings where cable runs are not an option.
In our experience they will not work when plugged in to extension blocks, they have to be directly in to a wall socket. As for latency, unless you have poor wiring expect LAN type response.
Thoroughly recommended as a stable solution that does not suffer from temporary drop outs or loss of signal when people walk past your access point, I use them myself at home to get connection to a machine in my garage and this has never stopped working or even needed to be looked at for anything, it's just there and works maintenance free.
I have now purchased and (used) 3 of these sockets in my house. However, I'm still intrested to hear about the secuirty issues surrounding net via electricty. I'm fully aware i can add encryption to packets of data, but i'd like to know how this is inherently secure without enabling encryption?
What's to stop my next door neighbour from buying a plug and snooping my data? i understand its a seperate circuit, but if electricity is being fed into the house, then surely that means data can be fed out?
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I did find I got a better connection speed if I plugged them directly into the wall socket (even via a multiway adapter plug), rather than into a 2m extension lead. There wasnt that much differance though, 10-15Mbits as I recall so the connection was reported as 65-70Mbits.
PS This was with the Devolo version. I later tried the other version when a collegue at work bought some and found them to connect slightly faster.
Anyone handy enough to draw up a diagram?
I just don't understand why you need two, and how you get the internet aswell?
You may mock but battery power for sources does happen in high end hi fi. My DAC (Pink Traingle DaCapo) had a battery version. The quality of mains power causes a huge headache so a battery that is being trickle charged is a solution, if a somewhat expensive and cumbersome one.
Thanks! :o
Excellent point. I read terms like inherent security, but i have to ask, if there's no encryption set up, how do we know our data is secured?
I mean, if you lived in a terraced house, or flat, what's stopping someone from connecting / snooping your network by purchasing an similar plug?
Is the electricty meter sufficient in providing a barrier? surely that is the case if the electricty is switched off! but when the electricty is on, then the circuit has to allow "electricity" into the premises?
Now, perhaps i should have asked this question before purchasing the Solwise kit! ... On the up side, it was truly *PLUG 'n' PLAY*, i didn't even use the supplied CD, and so far, i'm very impressed, but i'd love to know more about the security implications.
Regards.
99% of flats have individual meters so have individual circuit.
Not sure if he ever used it for anything more than freaking out visitors.
This is networking over electrical wiring, which is considerably more faster than X10. It too has been around for a number of years, but this is the first time that they are available with decent speeds (up until now, 14Mbps was the theoretical maximum available).
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=3478
http://www.pcweek.ru/_Article_Images/june2006/netg2606.jpg
;)
Although, of course, if someone wants to send me a couple to review, I could be persuaded to put my prejudices aside :D
http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline.htm
More data here
http://www.solwiseforum.co.uk/downloads/files/solwise-homeplug-comparison.pdf
Personally I'd buy the netgear 200Mbps or the newer Solwise AV200 if you wanted some decent bandwidth as thats what they are geared up for.
In our experience they will not work when plugged in to extension blocks, they have to be directly in to a wall socket. As for latency, unless you have poor wiring expect LAN type response.
Thoroughly recommended as a stable solution that does not suffer from temporary drop outs or loss of signal when people walk past your access point, I use them myself at home to get connection to a machine in my garage and this has never stopped working or even needed to be looked at for anything, it's just there and works maintenance free.
Hope that this helps.
What's to stop my next door neighbour from buying a plug and snooping my data? i understand its a seperate circuit, but if electricity is being fed into the house, then surely that means data can be fed out?
Any thoughts?