experience with powerline speeds

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › experience with powerline speeds

kdn

203 posts

Master Geek

#208919 5-Mar-2017 11:07

Hi all,

I have a 100/20 Mbps fibre link in my new apartment, unfortunately they have installed the ONT in the lounge where I am using the second bedroom as my office. I went out and bought a wireless-N pci card for my desktop PC. Using dual channel it can connect at 300 Mbps, but regardless of whether I use dual channel or single, the best speed I can ever get from the desktop to a laptop directly plugged into the router is around 40 Mbps.

Seems the issue is the number of wifi networks in close proximity to me, I can see about 6 full strength SSID's everywhere in the house.

I want to try powerline, but I am concerned that I have to have it running at 100 Mbps to make the most of my internet bandwidth, and that seems to be on the high side of most test results I have seen, physically I only have a single circuit in the house and the plugs would only be 5 meters from each other but I have no idea how well they will work I don't want to spend money to find out they are worse than the wifi I currently have. Any thoughts or suggestions on what else I could do?

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1730316 5-Mar-2017 11:18

If you're only getting 40Mbps over WiFi it means you're very likely only using 2.4GHz. 40Mbps is fairly typical of real world speeds for "300Mbps" 802.11n so you shouldn't be expecting to get anything faster.

If you want better speeds over WiFi you should look at 5GHz WiFi. Depending on your ISP your router may already be dual band.

timmmay

20582 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1730317 5-Mar-2017 11:23

Can you run Ethernet cable around the base of a wall?

I did powerline networking about ten years ago, in an old house where who knows what the wiring is like. It didn't work well. Sounds like your house is ideally set up for it. You could always buy from a retailer with a liberal return policy.

michaelmurfy

meow
13257 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1730340 5-Mar-2017 13:12

Also make sure the powerline adapter has Gigabit ethernet. There are many out there that quote "500Mbit" but only have 100Mbit ethernet on them. If you've got a local PB Tech they'll allow a return in original condition if it doesn't work out but running Ethernet is the best way to go to futureproof you for Gigabit.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Dynamic

3867 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1730357 5-Mar-2017 13:43

If you are anywhere near west Auckland I can lend you a pair of Edimax HP-6002AC devices to try.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.

alexx

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1730436 5-Mar-2017 16:18

Ethernet cable around the base of a wall as mentioned above.

Do you own the place? If so you need to look at permanent eithernet cabling.

Depending on electrical noise and the general state of the wiring, you might get 100Mb/s from powerline ethernet. You can get that with wireless, but interference in the 2.4GHz band is often the limiting factor.

#include <standard.disclaimer>

kdn

203 posts

Master Geek

#1730587 5-Mar-2017 22:08

thanks for the replies guys, I don't own the place its just a rental, the problem with cat6 around the floor is the office has a door on it so I wouldn't be able to close it and it does look a bit tacky.

Dynamic - that is an awesome offer I may hit you up this week as I am out those ways often!

Dynamic

3867 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1730601 5-Mar-2017 23:14

kdn: Dynamic - that is an awesome offer I may hit you up this week as I am out those ways often!

Good as gold. I just ordered two more to get around some occasional but annoying wireless issues. Our supplier happened to be doing a special last week. It would be a week or two until I get around to connecting them up.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.