Topic: Powerline Network Adapter

[Jim]

I got a new gadget the other day.  It was a powerline network adapter kit.  It looks like this:



Comes with these two adapters and 2-6' ethernet cables.  These adapters turn the wiring in your house into a very efficient network without having to run any additional wires.  You plug one into a power outlet near your router and then plug the ethernet cable into the adapter and the other end into the router.  Take the other one basically anywhere in your house, plug it into a power outlet.  Then plug the ethernet cable into the adapter and the computer equipment that you want to network, and you are done.

I used this to replace an external wireless adapter that I had on the PC that collects the data for my weather station.  I'm using a older desktop so it didn't have a wireless card.  This actually works better because wireless speed, unless you have one of the new "n-type" routers is pretty much limited to 57mbps.  When you use a wired connection you get the full benefit of 100mbps.  These adapters are rated up to 200mbps so they work just fine.

The only issue I saw was that they don't work if you plug them into a surge suppressor.  These are definitely worth taking a look at if you don't have a wireless card or maybe the signal is weak in specific areas.  I ordered mine from eBay but you can even find these on the Wal-mart site.  Shop around to get the best price.  I paid $39 with free shipping.

[bestofour]

I don't speak this language Jim but looks like a cool gadget.

[sunsoaker]

So basically, you're using your house wiring as network wiring? That's a pretty cool idea.

[bayou girl]

nice!

[Tina]

I like cool gadgets. I actually have a gadget that does something similar but not sure how to use it. Congrats, Jim!

[Jim]

So basically, you're using your house wiring as network wiring? That's a pretty cool idea.

That's right and it works well.  I'm thinking of getting another one and putting my Playstation on a 100mbps connection instead of wireless.

[wimc]

DSL modem/router is in my room and running wired network, family computer is opposite side of house with about a 100 foot ethernet cable, one of these days it'll probably be chewed by something, very well may have already marks on it.

Definitely going to look into this.

[Jim]

Yeah, that's the way my weather computer was till I got this.  I have wireless but the desktop doesn't have a wireless card.  Besides this gives me the same speed as wired which is better in the long run.  I bought this one off ebay.  It gets a full 100mbps but is rated at 200mbps if your modem/router is capable of faster speeds.  I found that lots of the places wanted to sell the kit that is rated at 500mbps but this one was cheaper and works great.

[bestofour]

I told Johnny about your new gadget and he said "Jim?  Did you say Jim?"  I said YES, we went to Jim's house.  Remember?  Close to Charleston.  We did Karaoke.  You know.  Jim and Dianna.  He said "you mean Bonnie's relatives?  I remember Bonnie and I went to the store."

He remembers nothing about that visit except he and Bonnie went to the store.

[Jim]

We can prove he was here.  We have him on YouTube singing! 

[bestofour]

yep