ethernet ports in electric outlet

[Tom_ZeCat]

I've heard of hardware that you can hook up to your router and then plug into the electric outlet to use the power cables in your house as network cables. Then you plug a device into any electric out to get an ethernet port.

Has anyone used this before? If so, do you recommend a brand? What exactly is the name for it so that I can search on NewEgg?

[oshunluvr]

I'm using some now with nothing bad to report.

TP-LINK TL-PA6010KIT AV600

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Can't say I've really tested them speed-wise. I get a ping of 0.2xxms from my desktop to my server - which does NOT run through the powerline adapters and a ping of 1.6xxms to my router which does run through the powerline adapters. Geographically, the server and desktop are 6 cable-feet and one switch apart but are dual-port connected using port aggregation (a theoretical doubling of speed) where as the desktop and router are more than 100 power-line feet apart and use only the single 1GB powerline adapters to connect.

I'd say given all the factors; the connection is as good as if I'd had an ethernet run of 60-80 ft. direct to the router. When you consider all the potential interference and stuff the signal runs through (outlets, power panel, vacuum cleaner, washer/dryer, etc.) I'd say the performance is darn good. I can report no known drops or reductions in speed that I've noticed.

These unit have encryption built in, although I haven't enabled it so I can't report if it effects speed or connection.

[Tom_ZeCat]

I'm using some now with nothing bad to report.

TP-LINK TL-PA6010KIT AV600

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Can't say I've really tested them speed-wise. I get a ping of 0.2xxms from my desktop to my server - which does NOT run through the powerline adapters and a ping of 1.6xxms to my router which does run through the powerline adapters. Geographically, the server and desktop are 6 cable-feet and one switch apart but are dual-port connected using port aggregation (a theoretical doubling of speed) where as the desktop and router are more than 100 power-line feet apart and use only the single 1GB powerline adapters to connect.

I'd say given all the factors; the connection is as good as if I'd had an ethernet run of 60-80 ft. direct to the router. When you consider all the potential interference and stuff the signal runs through (outlets, power panel, vacuum cleaner, washer/dryer, etc.) I'd say the performance is darn good. I can report no known drops or reductions in speed that I've noticed.

These unit have encryption built in, although I haven't enabled it so I can't report if it effects speed or connection.

Okay, I've been reading over the specs at Amazon. So that kit has everything I need? I noticed it includes a resource CD. Why would I need that? Is there software that has to be installed and do you have to control the system through a PC that stays on? I was hoping for something that could just plug into the router and hook to the electric outlet, and then you just plug the devices into whatever outlet you want to use as an ethernet port.

I'm going to go dig through the specs more. We're wanting at least two ethernet ports, maybe three.

[oshunluvr]

I assume the CD is for windows - I never looked at it.

@Here:

1. Opened box.
2. Plugged in unit 1 next to router in living room.
3. Connected ethernet cable to unit 1.
4. Plugged unit 2 in near switch in office (opposite side of the house).
5. Connected ethernet cable from switch to unit 2.
6. Observed all boxes connected to switch have internet service.
7. Done

Can't speak to more than 2 units. Depending on proximity of your needs a wifi router or dumb switch might do the trick. I have one of each - wifi in the living room and switch in the office. My office has the server, my desktop, the printer, and my Ooma unit - all connected to the 'net through the Powerline adapter via a 16 port switch. The living room has the cable modem connected to my wifi router (Asus RT-AC66U) and the Powerline adapter is connected to the wifi router as well.

Works wonderfully. It's almost automatic. I didn't have to configure a single thing.

[Tom_ZeCat]

I assume the CD is for windows - I never looked at it.

@Here:

1. Opened box.
2. Plugged in unit 1 next to router in living room.
3. Connected ethernet cable to unit 1.
4. Plugged unit 2 in near switch in office (opposite side of the house).
5. Connected ethernet cable from switch to unit 2.
6. Observed all boxes connected to switch have internet service.
7. Done

Can't speak to more than 2 units. Depending on proximity of your needs a wifi router or dumb switch might do the trick. I have one of each - wifi in the living room and switch in the office. My office has the server, my desktop, the printer, and my Ooma unit - all connected to the 'net through the Powerline adapter via a 16 port switch. The living room has the cable modem connected to my wifi router (Asus RT-AC66U) and the Powerline adapter is connected to the wifi router as well.

Works wonderfully. It's almost automatic. I didn't have to configure a single thing.

Thanks. We're probably going to go for this thing then. We've already got a wifi router, but the signal strength often gets crappy, especially downstairs. (The router is upstairs.) We've thought of getting a signal booster or maybe a better router, but ethernet is almost always better than wifi, and we usually use the Internet at the same table downstairs. This ethernet via electric outlet seems like a good choice.

[oshunluvr]

You could even have two wifi routers on each end (using different channels and IPs of course and) then have wifi everywhere.

I went through the manual briefly and it does say you can use more than two adapters, it doesn't say what the limit is.

The CD has a windows device management utility on it. You can update firmware, manage QoS settings, add restrictions, etc. Looks like you could use these just like you might use a smart router. The software has a "Priority" settings that allowed 8 devices be set at different priorities so I'd guess you can have at least 8 units.