Netgear Saves You From Laying Cable

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2010/09/netgear-offers-500mbps-powerline-networking-via-next-gen-standard.ars' target='_blank'>http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news...en-standard.ars</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>Even as the <a href="http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/1901/" title="IEEE: IEEE P1901 Draft Standard for Broadband over Power Line Networks: Medium Access Control and Physical Layer Specifications">IEEE P1901 working group</a> was set to meet this week to recommend its draft&nbsp;standard for&nbsp;broadband over powerline networks for official status, Netgear announced its line of <a href="http://netgear.com/products/home/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/default.aspx" title="Netgear: POWERLINE AV 500">Powerline AV 500 adapters</a> that incorporate the HomePlug-compatible flavor of the standard. The new devices theoretically promise up to gigabit Ethernet speeds over home electrical wiring, and are the first to incorporate the newest standard.</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1283575511.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Wireless networking is great.&nbsp; It offers freedom and is fairly easy to use.&nbsp; Unfortunately, WiFi often offers less than ideal bandwidth for large file transfers for video playback.&nbsp; Cable?&nbsp; Sure, if you have money to pay someone or are willing to drill holes and feed Cat 6 wires everywhere.&nbsp; Enter HomePlug.&nbsp; While not a perfect solution, HomePlug has been an option for those who want more reliable speeds without having to run cable everywhere.&nbsp; The speeds were not great at first, but with its latest iteration, streaming HD video can be a reality.&nbsp; While setting up a home network may get complicated with all these options, I think it is great that we have these options to fit each of our different needs and environments.</p>

[ptyork]

Don't forget MoCA (ethernet over standard coaxial cable--basically in-home DOCSIS). In my experience both more reliable and more resilient than HomePlug, which is very susceptible to interference from appliances--most notably microwave ovens. Nothing worse than having your movie stop and (inevitably) your streamer go wonky just because you are making popcorn. :)

'Course, the problem is that there are VERY few MoCA products out there. But you can still get brand new Verizon FIOS routers (Actiontec MI424WR) which act as MoCA bridges for $30'ish apiece on Ebay. ALSO on the negative side they only work where there is a cable outlet. But still, a pretty cheap (cheaper than comparable HomePlug solutions) and easy (ish) solution to obtain 100+ MB/s in multiple rooms without Cat 6.

FWIW, a pair Netgear MCAB1001's (dedicated MoCA bridges) can also be had for around $140 on the 'bay. Likely a better "set-it-and-forget-it"--and probably more energy efficient--solution than the MI424WR's.

That said, there is a lot of elegance in these little plug-and-play (literally) HomePlug things. If they had a cool USB charging outlet, then they'd be even better. Actually, I wonder why they didn't make the AV500+ with it's pass-through power outlet the standard model. Much more practical for seemingly just a few cents more in actual production costs.

Anyway, I'll probably try a pair of these out when they are released, assuming they aren't outrageously expensive.

[EscapePod]

I have been using PowerLine devices (by Netgear) for quite a few years - ever since putting my knee through the ceiling while running CAT5 to another area of the house. Wireless G wasn't good enough for certain PCs in the house, so I tried the PowerLine. First was the original 14 Mbps units --- very reliable, but not honking fast. I actually got them out recently and use them for an ASUS Internet radio in the bedroom.

The next model, the XAV101, with its "theoretical" 200 Mbps, worked perfectly. However, the RJ45 port is only 100 Mbps for the PC -- I guess it only transmits "up to" 200 Mbps in the powerline. Still, it was perfect.

When I wanted to add another adapter, for example on the HDTV, I couldn't find the same model. I tried the HDX101, but found it was incompatible with the XAV101. I bought a second HDX101 to pair up with the first -- still didn't work.

Eventually, I found a pair of XAV101s on eBay, and bought them. I'm only using one of them added to the pair already in service, but can add the fourth unit at a later date, if needed. Since the XAV101 has worked so well, I'm guite satisfied with them. I'll wait a bit to see reviews from the masses before considering to try the AV500, but if it truly comes close to gigabit (even half gig), I'd be willing to upgrade.

[Phillip Dyson]

The most frustrating part of my setup is the fact that my modem and G router is on my first floor. But I have several servers (including a WHS) in the second floor office.

Currently I have a second router running, admittedly, an old version of DD-WRt to act as a bridge to my main router downstairs.

Unfotunately this is highly unstable setup as every other day I have to unplugg the second floor router and plug it back in to regain connection.

Can I use power line networking to connect my secondary router to my primary and eliminate the wireless element?

[ptyork]

Can I use power line networking to connect my secondary router to my primary and eliminate the wireless element?

Yep. In theory it should dramatically improve your throughput. And you can configure DD-WRT so that the upstairs router serves as a WiFi range extender instead of a bridge. Nice if your WiFi isn't super strong throughout the house. Also note that because of the way wireless bridging works, you're actually getting terrible throughput even under ideal conditions. Bridging splits the throughput in half, so at best you'll be getting 27 MBs when connecting to your upstairs computers.

In the mean time, update your DD-WRT firmware if you can. I've had very good luck with bridge stability with the latest V24SP1 version running on "classic" G routers like the WRT-54G and on newer, dual-band ones.

[Phillip Dyson]

Yep. In theory it should dramatically improve your throughput. And you can configure DD-WRT so that the upstairs router serves as a WiFi range extender instead of a bridge. Nice if your WiFi isn't super strong throughout the house. Also note that because of the way wireless bridging works, you're actually getting terrible throughput even under ideal conditions. Bridging splits the throughput in half, so at best you'll be getting 27 MBs when connecting to your upstairs computers.

In the mean time, update your DD-WRT firmware if you can. I've had very good luck with bridge stability with the latest V24SP1 version running on "classic" G routers like the WRT-54G and on newer, dual-band ones.

Thanks for the feedback You may have already sold me on the powerline networking. Both my WHS and other file server are upstairs. I had no idea I was losing so much bandwidth right out of the gate.

I guess what I could do is use the powerline networking to connect my upstairs router and downstairs (main). Then I can turn the wireless on my upstairs router off completely.

I haven't done much research on powerline net equipment. Any suggestions? Is the one in the original post the best one to consider?