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Wireless History
My house is full of consoles and computers, as are many houses these days. With all of them requiring the internet and even the satellite system now having Ethernet ready for when iPlayer crawls on to the system it can get a bit hectic working out the best way to connect things.
Until now I’ve been wireless, using my router’s basic Wire-less G network to connect to the PS3, Wii, PC and laptop, but this wasn’t always fast or reliable, with walls in the way and interference from Microwaves and phones making my connection drop or sometimes not connecting at all.
Get Connected
When I changed ISP to Freeola I also decided to put a stop to wireless woes for the consoles and PC downstairs. Because my router is upstairs and my wife would probably kill me if she saw me installing an Ethernet cable around all the skirting boards of the house, I decided to try one of the latest methods of wired network connections, the Homeplug.
Mains Man
Homeplugs and their variants use the wired mains to allow the broadband signal to travel around the house. A hub one end, which looks similar to a router or a plug (depending on the model) plugs into your router and speaks to another plug anywhere where a mains socket can be found. This can work everywhere in the house but tends to work best on the main circuit.
Now, as you can imagine, it’s quite possible that other people can pick up on this signal as it can ‘jump’ to their own mains ciruit, so all Homeplug systems use security measures to prevent anyone else using your internet or spying on you. Most of the time this takes the form of both an encrypted signal that only the registered plugs can use and a password which you set up as you install the software.
Linkz
Many Homeplug systems still provide only a single Ethernet port, but I chose the Linksys PLK300 Network Kit as it’s one of the newer sets which allows you to have 4 Ethernet connections from a single socket.
The initial hardware set up took 5 minutes (ok 20 if you include getting it out of the fiddly packaging!), it’s literally as easy as plugging both units into the mains and then plugging Ethernet cables in where needed.
From here you need to load software on to the main computer (usually the one connected to the modem/router) so that you can set up passwords and check connection status. The software had a few issues with my firewall at first but after a reboot it found the powerline kit and allowed me to set a password to keep the line secure.
The Playstation 3 and PC both accepted the connection as if it was a straight Ethernet cable from the Router, so no problems getting connected and the speed was pretty impressive, allowing me to test an HD video between my PC upstairs and the Playstation downstairs with no noticeable lag or breakups.
Net Working Not Working
There are a few known issues with these homeplugs, however, and these need to be thought about before you invest in the kit.
Firstly, all the Homeplug kits will only work with a clear Mains socket. You can use extensions without too much degradation of line quality, but if you plug them into Surge Protection extensions then you’ll either notice a severe drop in speed and quality or won’t get a connection at all. Many of the kits, including this Linksys, have a built in surge protection, though, so it’s really just a matter of finding a standard mains socket or extension to use with them.
Secondly, the kit I’m using falls into the 85Mbps category. This is fast enough for the odd HD movie and for any standard data transfer or online gaming, but if you’re thinking of this as a solution to streaming a lot of video around the house then it’s worth considering the higher 300Mbps models, which will cope with anything. As with any other networking kit, the speeds listed will be the maximum speed achievable and you’re more likely to get about half of this on a standard home network.
Summary
The Linksys PLTK300 Powerline Network kit is a great solution if your wireless connection tends to drop out or you find that it won’t reach around the areas of the house where you need your broadband to be. It’s also ideal for streaming and sharing a connection between computers, Ethernet enabled printers and other networking items without resorting to extra wires around the house or using Wireless connections.
I found it easy to install and set up and it worked pretty much straight out of the box, great for beginners who want to set up a network in their home with no fuss.
9/10
My house is full of consoles and computers, as are many houses these days. With all of them requiring the internet and even the satellite system now having Ethernet ready for when iPlayer crawls on to the system it can get a bit hectic working out the best way to connect things.
Until now I’ve been wireless, using my router’s basic Wire-less G network to connect to the PS3, Wii, PC and laptop, but this wasn’t always fast or reliable, with walls in the way and interference from Microwaves and phones making my connection drop or sometimes not connecting at all.
Get Connected
When I changed ISP to Freeola I also decided to put a stop to wireless woes for the consoles and PC downstairs. Because my router is upstairs and my wife would probably kill me if she saw me installing an Ethernet cable around all the skirting boards of the house, I decided to try one of the latest methods of wired network connections, the Homeplug.
Mains Man
Homeplugs and their variants use the wired mains to allow the broadband signal to travel around the house. A hub one end, which looks similar to a router or a plug (depending on the model) plugs into your router and speaks to another plug anywhere where a mains socket can be found. This can work everywhere in the house but tends to work best on the main circuit.
Now, as you can imagine, it’s quite possible that other people can pick up on this signal as it can ‘jump’ to their own mains ciruit, so all Homeplug systems use security measures to prevent anyone else using your internet or spying on you. Most of the time this takes the form of both an encrypted signal that only the registered plugs can use and a password which you set up as you install the software.
Linkz
Many Homeplug systems still provide only a single Ethernet port, but I chose the Linksys PLK300 Network Kit as it’s one of the newer sets which allows you to have 4 Ethernet connections from a single socket.
The initial hardware set up took 5 minutes (ok 20 if you include getting it out of the fiddly packaging!), it’s literally as easy as plugging both units into the mains and then plugging Ethernet cables in where needed.
From here you need to load software on to the main computer (usually the one connected to the modem/router) so that you can set up passwords and check connection status. The software had a few issues with my firewall at first but after a reboot it found the powerline kit and allowed me to set a password to keep the line secure.
The Playstation 3 and PC both accepted the connection as if it was a straight Ethernet cable from the Router, so no problems getting connected and the speed was pretty impressive, allowing me to test an HD video between my PC upstairs and the Playstation downstairs with no noticeable lag or breakups.
Net Working Not Working
There are a few known issues with these homeplugs, however, and these need to be thought about before you invest in the kit.
Firstly, all the Homeplug kits will only work with a clear Mains socket. You can use extensions without too much degradation of line quality, but if you plug them into Surge Protection extensions then you’ll either notice a severe drop in speed and quality or won’t get a connection at all. Many of the kits, including this Linksys, have a built in surge protection, though, so it’s really just a matter of finding a standard mains socket or extension to use with them.
Secondly, the kit I’m using falls into the 85Mbps category. This is fast enough for the odd HD movie and for any standard data transfer or online gaming, but if you’re thinking of this as a solution to streaming a lot of video around the house then it’s worth considering the higher 300Mbps models, which will cope with anything. As with any other networking kit, the speeds listed will be the maximum speed achievable and you’re more likely to get about half of this on a standard home network.
Summary
The Linksys PLTK300 Powerline Network kit is a great solution if your wireless connection tends to drop out or you find that it won’t reach around the areas of the house where you need your broadband to be. It’s also ideal for streaming and sharing a connection between computers, Ethernet enabled printers and other networking items without resorting to extra wires around the house or using Wireless connections.
I found it easy to install and set up and it worked pretty much straight out of the box, great for beginners who want to set up a network in their home with no fuss.
9/10
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Wireless History
My house is full of consoles and computers, as are many houses these days. With all of them requiring the internet and even the satellite system now having Ethernet ready for when iPlayer crawls on to the system it can get a bit hectic working out the best way to connect things.
Until now I’ve been wireless, using my router’s basic Wire-less G network to connect to the PS3, Wii, PC and laptop, but this wasn’t always fast or reliable, with walls in the way and interference from Microwaves and phones making my connection drop or sometimes not connecting at all.
Get Connected
When I changed ISP to Freeola I also decided to put a stop to wireless woes for the consoles and PC downstairs. Because my router is upstairs and my wife would probably kill me if she saw me installing an Ethernet cable around all the skirting boards of the house, I decided to try one of the latest methods of wired network connections, the Homeplug.
Mains Man
Homeplugs and their variants use the wired mains to allow the broadband signal to travel around the house. A hub one end, which looks similar to a router or a plug (depending on the model) plugs into your router and speaks to another plug anywhere where a mains socket can be found. This can work everywhere in the house but tends to work best on the main circuit.
Now, as you can imagine, it’s quite possible that other people can pick up on this signal as it can ‘jump’ to their own mains ciruit, so all Homeplug systems use security measures to prevent anyone else using your internet or spying on you. Most of the time this takes the form of both an encrypted signal that only the registered plugs can use and a password which you set up as you install the software.
Linkz
Many Homeplug systems still provide only a single Ethernet port, but I chose the Linksys PLK300 Network Kit as it’s one of the newer sets which allows you to have 4 Ethernet connections from a single socket.
The initial hardware set up took 5 minutes (ok 20 if you include getting it out of the fiddly packaging!), it’s literally as easy as plugging both units into the mains and then plugging Ethernet cables in where needed.
From here you need to load software on to the main computer (usually the one connected to the modem/router) so that you can set up passwords and check connection status. The software had a few issues with my firewall at first but after a reboot it found the powerline kit and allowed me to set a password to keep the line secure.
The Playstation 3 and PC both accepted the connection as if it was a straight Ethernet cable from the Router, so no problems getting connected and the speed was pretty impressive, allowing me to test an HD video between my PC upstairs and the Playstation downstairs with no noticeable lag or breakups.
Net Working Not Working
There are a few known issues with these homeplugs, however, and these need to be thought about before you invest in the kit.
Firstly, all the Homeplug kits will only work with a clear Mains socket. You can use extensions without too much degradation of line quality, but if you plug them into Surge Protection extensions then you’ll either notice a severe drop in speed and quality or won’t get a connection at all. Many of the kits, including this Linksys, have a built in surge protection, though, so it’s really just a matter of finding a standard mains socket or extension to use with them.
Secondly, the kit I’m using falls into the 85Mbps category. This is fast enough for the odd HD movie and for any standard data transfer or online gaming, but if you’re thinking of this as a solution to streaming a lot of video around the house then it’s worth considering the higher 300Mbps models, which will cope with anything. As with any other networking kit, the speeds listed will be the maximum speed achievable and you’re more likely to get about half of this on a standard home network.
Summary
The Linksys PLTK300 Powerline Network kit is a great solution if your wireless connection tends to drop out or you find that it won’t reach around the areas of the house where you need your broadband to be. It’s also ideal for streaming and sharing a connection between computers, Ethernet enabled printers and other networking items without resorting to extra wires around the house or using Wireless connections.
I found it easy to install and set up and it worked pretty much straight out of the box, great for beginners who want to set up a network in their home with no fuss.
9/10
My house is full of consoles and computers, as are many houses these days. With all of them requiring the internet and even the satellite system now having Ethernet ready for when iPlayer crawls on to the system it can get a bit hectic working out the best way to connect things.
Until now I’ve been wireless, using my router’s basic Wire-less G network to connect to the PS3, Wii, PC and laptop, but this wasn’t always fast or reliable, with walls in the way and interference from Microwaves and phones making my connection drop or sometimes not connecting at all.
Get Connected
When I changed ISP to Freeola I also decided to put a stop to wireless woes for the consoles and PC downstairs. Because my router is upstairs and my wife would probably kill me if she saw me installing an Ethernet cable around all the skirting boards of the house, I decided to try one of the latest methods of wired network connections, the Homeplug.
Mains Man
Homeplugs and their variants use the wired mains to allow the broadband signal to travel around the house. A hub one end, which looks similar to a router or a plug (depending on the model) plugs into your router and speaks to another plug anywhere where a mains socket can be found. This can work everywhere in the house but tends to work best on the main circuit.
Now, as you can imagine, it’s quite possible that other people can pick up on this signal as it can ‘jump’ to their own mains ciruit, so all Homeplug systems use security measures to prevent anyone else using your internet or spying on you. Most of the time this takes the form of both an encrypted signal that only the registered plugs can use and a password which you set up as you install the software.
Linkz
Many Homeplug systems still provide only a single Ethernet port, but I chose the Linksys PLK300 Network Kit as it’s one of the newer sets which allows you to have 4 Ethernet connections from a single socket.
The initial hardware set up took 5 minutes (ok 20 if you include getting it out of the fiddly packaging!), it’s literally as easy as plugging both units into the mains and then plugging Ethernet cables in where needed.
From here you need to load software on to the main computer (usually the one connected to the modem/router) so that you can set up passwords and check connection status. The software had a few issues with my firewall at first but after a reboot it found the powerline kit and allowed me to set a password to keep the line secure.
The Playstation 3 and PC both accepted the connection as if it was a straight Ethernet cable from the Router, so no problems getting connected and the speed was pretty impressive, allowing me to test an HD video between my PC upstairs and the Playstation downstairs with no noticeable lag or breakups.
Net Working Not Working
There are a few known issues with these homeplugs, however, and these need to be thought about before you invest in the kit.
Firstly, all the Homeplug kits will only work with a clear Mains socket. You can use extensions without too much degradation of line quality, but if you plug them into Surge Protection extensions then you’ll either notice a severe drop in speed and quality or won’t get a connection at all. Many of the kits, including this Linksys, have a built in surge protection, though, so it’s really just a matter of finding a standard mains socket or extension to use with them.
Secondly, the kit I’m using falls into the 85Mbps category. This is fast enough for the odd HD movie and for any standard data transfer or online gaming, but if you’re thinking of this as a solution to streaming a lot of video around the house then it’s worth considering the higher 300Mbps models, which will cope with anything. As with any other networking kit, the speeds listed will be the maximum speed achievable and you’re more likely to get about half of this on a standard home network.
Summary
The Linksys PLTK300 Powerline Network kit is a great solution if your wireless connection tends to drop out or you find that it won’t reach around the areas of the house where you need your broadband to be. It’s also ideal for streaming and sharing a connection between computers, Ethernet enabled printers and other networking items without resorting to extra wires around the house or using Wireless connections.
I found it easy to install and set up and it worked pretty much straight out of the box, great for beginners who want to set up a network in their home with no fuss.
9/10