HELP HELP Homeplug

codprawn · 19 December 2005, 22:08

Anyone used this???

http://www.devolo.co.uk/uk_EN/produkte/dLAN/index.html

Basically they are adaptors that let you use mains powerpoints for networking - not a new idea - baby alarms have used it for years but it is going to be the next big thing.

Have installed a few now and they are great and really easy - ideal I thought for a new job we have to do - a massive listed mansion with walls 5' thick and they want a network right through. obviosuly CAT5 would be best but no go.

Homeplug is supposed to work across phases as well - owners told me house was single phase but found out today it's not - in fact they have about 5 different fuse boxes on 4 stories!!! only a single meter though - electric is obviously getting through but the Homeplug just doesn't want to know unless it's in the same room!!!

roycruse · 19 December 2005, 22:15

Whats wrong with good old fashioned wi-fi. Its so cheap these days its not worth messing around with anything else...

codprawn · 19 December 2005, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

Whats wrong with good old fashioned wi-fi. Its so cheap these days its not worth messing around with anything else...

Five foot thick walls!!!!!

MikeCC · 19 December 2005, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

Whats wrong with good old fashioned wi-fi. Its so cheap these days its not worth messing around with anything else...

I think it's the 5" thick walls that might cause a problem unless you have repeaters dotted all over.

I recall a product from a company called something like Verran which also worked (or more accurately didn't work) over mains cabling about 10-12 years ago - maybe more? Wonder what happened to that. Perhaps Homeplig is an updated reincarnation?

bogib · 19 December 2005, 22:44

Have been available over here for years but I personaly went for fibre optic connection

Bogi

codprawn · 19 December 2005, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogib

Have been available over here for years but I personaly went for fibre optic connection

Bogi

They have been around for a long time here as well - but Homeplug is a new industry standard that offers speeds of 85mbs - it is designed for multimedia around the home and manufacturers like Sony are getting involved.

Have you got fibre optic from room to room in the house?

codprawn · 19 December 2005, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogib

Have been available over here for years but I personaly went for fibre optic connection

Bogi

Hang on - just realised - you are confusing it with internet connection - they are NOT for that - they are for internal networks.

bogib · 19 December 2005, 22:53

Sorry should have read it more properly...................., at home all standard computers (6 pieces) connected via two hubs remaining laptops (3 pieces) wireless and works well

Bogi

codprawn · 19 December 2005, 23:12

This new Homeplug stuff is REALLY good and very easy to use - actual data transfer is about 8mb per second which is fine for most people unless they have loads of data to move around.

In normal houses and offices etc it works fine but this mansion has more wiring than most big factories!!!

codprawn · 22 December 2005, 15:43

Got it all sorted now - if it works in a massive mansion with 3 phase electrics and 7 fuse boxes it will work anywhere - really great system!!!

Used the Devolo adaptors - supposed to be the best but 2 out of 6 faulty.

Also some sockets in the house had faulty earths but got there in the end.

For normal houses this is a great system.

roohairy · 24 December 2005, 09:24

These will also allow anyone else taking power from the same transformer to join your network with the same hardware! Don't know the homeplug specifically but they've been trialling a similar system for broadband in poland, the utility companies want to sell broadband internet through their lines. They're having trouble arranging to step it accross transformers but it is in use in housing estates.