Installing power-line LAN modules at home completely eliminated all the wi-fi issues I had dealt with for years. I went with Linksys PLE500 devices (PLEK-500 is a kit of two) but guess that other brand names will be about the same. Of course there are use cases where only wi-fi will do, and perhaps in crowded areas the power-line solution might have problems that I don't experience. And it is more expensive since each node needs a module, and you still need a router. But for basic computer networking I think power-line LAN is hugely better than any wi-fi, and worth the cost.
You still have to be wired, and if you are going to be wired, might as well just put CAT6 cabling - faster and cheaper. Also probably the most secure option, as both powerline and wifi can be compromised from the outside.
I thought as much, and when I tried to route wires (so I could pull the cables) through the existing conduits in the house, I realized it wasn't going to happen.
I then bought a kit of 2 500Mbps power-line modules, as it was more convenient... but due to, probably, poor wiring and possibly being on different phases, the speed is quite horrendous.
WiFi is not very good because of the brick walls, even though the router is on the office right across the room. I might end up having to drill the walls and ceiling, and put some Cat cables from outside the conduits (not aesthetically pleasing).
ddriver: "Wired" means what? Every house is already wired for power-line LAN, at a couple of places in every room. What percent are already wired like that for CAT6? Close to zero. It's obvious that CAT6 is faster and more secure - where it's already installed! What relevant point am I missing in your reply?
Networking has been around for quite a while. Any building constructed or renovated the last 20 years should have network/communication cable installed along with the power lines.
Many have network cable but aren't terminated for Ethernet. We purchased our home that was built in 2006 from the original owners. It was only wired for phone and terminated to RJ11 jacks, however the builder used CAT5E for the phone lines (which is very common practice anymore). I was able to terminate it both at the wall and into a new patch panel.
Having your home 'wired for data' was not as common as you think. Oftentimes it was an overpriced add-on for a home - and most times builders didn't even use conduit. Bastards.
I used to use powerline adapters. Right around the time when a good "N" simultaneous dual-band router was more reliable and faster? I stopped using powerline. I looked into upgrading to a newer powerline setup and it would have cost me more money, and there was no guarantee it would completely eliminate the reliability issues I encountered when running noisy devices (vacuum cleaners, etc). I would have considered using powerline again but they fell behind in terms of speed and wireless AC came out, further increasing the performance gap.
Maybe powerline works better in newer homes, or makes more sense in areas where the wireless is crowded (apartments). I've just never had much luck with it myself.
Quite a few wifi issues can also be improved using better antennas (if your wifi unit supports external antenna connections). Thinking "outside the house" can also work for some situations, i.e. linking together systems using outside cables.
5x 1GB ports. Ganesh used identical phrasing in the amped networking article; but that one came with spec sheets. It's your standard 1 up, 4 down config; just like 99% of other consumer routers.
great to see adaptive roaming come to home networks, but with ubiquiti's stylish ap's dropping to $130 it's probably too late. especially since no-one in their right mind would place such ugly ap's these in sight. (at least the few wives i know vetoed anything not white and/or with external antennas)
"D-Link had two major core networking announcements at CES along with a host of updates for their home automation product line. There are a number of things to discuss with respect to the core networking announcements. So, I will get the minor home automation stuff out of the way first."
Very important major announcement for Ganesh TS. Thank you for wasting my time Ganesh TS. Two major announcements but instead you take the shitty little stuff first, without even stating what the major announcements are in a 50 word introduction? I skipped the rest because with this poor writing I'm sure the rest will be further waste.
If you use a Wi-Fi internet connection, the main desktop computer should not be on for sharing. Then again, you may turn off the original laptop or computer once you use Wi-Fi connection. Whilst configuring the router, it's not necassary to undermine on security and safety complications. To be able to safeguard your own data, it is advised to stay away from attaching to unidentified Wi-Fi systems.
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14 Comments
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Arbie - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
Installing power-line LAN modules at home completely eliminated all the wi-fi issues I had dealt with for years. I went with Linksys PLE500 devices (PLEK-500 is a kit of two) but guess that other brand names will be about the same. Of course there are use cases where only wi-fi will do, and perhaps in crowded areas the power-line solution might have problems that I don't experience. And it is more expensive since each node needs a module, and you still need a router. But for basic computer networking I think power-line LAN is hugely better than any wi-fi, and worth the cost.ddriver - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
You still have to be wired, and if you are going to be wired, might as well just put CAT6 cabling - faster and cheaper. Also probably the most secure option, as both powerline and wifi can be compromised from the outside.LordanSS - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
I thought as much, and when I tried to route wires (so I could pull the cables) through the existing conduits in the house, I realized it wasn't going to happen.I then bought a kit of 2 500Mbps power-line modules, as it was more convenient... but due to, probably, poor wiring and possibly being on different phases, the speed is quite horrendous.
WiFi is not very good because of the brick walls, even though the router is on the office right across the room. I might end up having to drill the walls and ceiling, and put some Cat cables from outside the conduits (not aesthetically pleasing).
Arbie - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
ddriver: "Wired" means what? Every house is already wired for power-line LAN, at a couple of places in every room. What percent are already wired like that for CAT6? Close to zero. It's obvious that CAT6 is faster and more secure - where it's already installed! What relevant point am I missing in your reply?ddriver - Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - link
Networking has been around for quite a while. Any building constructed or renovated the last 20 years should have network/communication cable installed along with the power lines.brshoemak - Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - link
Many have network cable but aren't terminated for Ethernet. We purchased our home that was built in 2006 from the original owners. It was only wired for phone and terminated to RJ11 jacks, however the builder used CAT5E for the phone lines (which is very common practice anymore). I was able to terminate it both at the wall and into a new patch panel.Having your home 'wired for data' was not as common as you think. Oftentimes it was an overpriced add-on for a home - and most times builders didn't even use conduit. Bastards.
Alexvrb - Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - link
I used to use powerline adapters. Right around the time when a good "N" simultaneous dual-band router was more reliable and faster? I stopped using powerline. I looked into upgrading to a newer powerline setup and it would have cost me more money, and there was no guarantee it would completely eliminate the reliability issues I encountered when running noisy devices (vacuum cleaners, etc). I would have considered using powerline again but they fell behind in terms of speed and wireless AC came out, further increasing the performance gap.Maybe powerline works better in newer homes, or makes more sense in areas where the wireless is crowded (apartments). I've just never had much luck with it myself.
10101010 - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
Quite a few wifi issues can also be improved using better antennas (if your wifi unit supports external antenna connections). Thinking "outside the house" can also work for some situations, i.e. linking together systems using outside cables.okenny - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
"and 5 GbE ports integrated"Do you mean 5x 1GBe ports or really 5Gb ethernet ports?
I knew that 5GBe was coming but this would be the first product that I have seen.
DanNeely - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
5x 1GB ports. Ganesh used identical phrasing in the amped networking article; but that one came with spec sheets. It's your standard 1 up, 4 down config; just like 99% of other consumer routers.bernstein - Monday, January 18, 2016 - link
great to see adaptive roaming come to home networks, but with ubiquiti's stylish ap's dropping to $130 it's probably too late. especially since no-one in their right mind would place such ugly ap's these in sight. (at least the few wives i know vetoed anything not white and/or with external antennas)Gadgety - Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - link
"D-Link had two major core networking announcements at CES along with a host of updates for their home automation product line. There are a number of things to discuss with respect to the core networking announcements. So, I will get the minor home automation stuff out of the way first."Very important major announcement for Ganesh TS. Thank you for wasting my time Ganesh TS. Two major announcements but instead you take the shitty little stuff first, without even stating what the major announcements are in a 50 word introduction? I skipped the rest because with this poor writing I'm sure the rest will be further waste.
mkaibear - Wednesday, January 20, 2016 - link
So, your complaint is that your time is being wasted, yet you have time to log in and write a 100 word comment.Given average reading to typing speeds that means you spent 4 times as long writing your comment as you did reading the 50 word introduction.
Your logic isn't strong, is it?
samworthen - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
If you use a Wi-Fi internet connection, the main desktop computer should not be on for sharing. Then again, you may turn off the original laptop or computer once you use Wi-Fi connection.Whilst configuring the router, it's not necassary to undermine on security and safety complications. To be able to safeguard your own data, it is advised to stay away from attaching to unidentified Wi-Fi systems.
More info:
http://www.ipaddressdefinition.com/10-0-0-1/