Homeplug question

[r_j_k_p]

My main pc and wireless router is upstairs in my house, however when i go downstairs, i only get around 2 bars.
If i plug one adapter in upstairs, by the main pc ( i assume ethernet from router to ethernet to homeplug), it will send data using the houses electrical wire. This will then be picked up the homeplug downstairs, and emit its own wireless connection? or do i have to add another router downstairs via ethernet to the homeplug?

ie, is this possible

Router > Ethernet cable > Homeplug in normal 3 pin socket > Houses internal wiring > Homeplug in normal 3 pin socket > Ethernet cable > Wireless Router > ps3 via ethernet / wlan for laptop / ethernet to 2nd pc

thanks.

[spoon_]

Not every homeplug is capable of wireless, if it is I don't see any problems with your scenario.

If its not you need to get some sort of access point + switch combo or wi-fi router to feed downstairs devices.

[mikerr]

erm, homeplugs operate like ethernet hubs, so wireless is irrelevent ?

In short, if plugging in a hub would work, then a homeplug will too.

[Funkstar]

Router > Ethernet cable > Homeplug in normal 3 pin socket > Houses internal wiring > Homeplug in normal 3 pin socket > Ethernet cable > Wireless Router > ps3 via ethernet / wlan for laptop / ethernet to 2nd pc

First off I've never used a home plug, so I can't say for sure, but my understanding is that they just act like an ethernet cable. They shouldn't need any setting up and anything else connected to them doesn't know what they are, they just work.

At the other end of this with the PS3, laptop and PC you want to make sure any router you put there will definitely work as an access point and switch, you aren't actually doing any routing with it. So DHCP, NAT and firewalls will need to be completely off in the router. Otherwise you will need a switch and an AP.

[burble]

First off I've never used a home plug, so I can't say for sure, but my understanding is that they just act like an ethernet cable. They shouldn't need any setting up and anything else connected to them doesn't know what they are, they just work.

They do need some setting up - network name and encryption settings at a bare minimum.

[Funkstar]

They do need some setting up - network name and encryption settings at a bare minimum.

Ah, ok. I thought they were just a dumb network device, but I guess having some kind of security in there makes sense.

[mikerr]

Every homeplug I've used has been a case of plug it in and use a pair in place of a physical wire,
never done any config...

[burble]

Every homeplug I've used has been a case of plug it in and use a pair in place of a physical wire,
never done any config...

That's a bit like leaving a wireless router with the factory standard wireless encryption key. It'll work but it isn't something I'd do personally.

[AledJ]

They do need some setting up - network name and encryption settings at a bare minimum.

Not sure what ones you have but I think your wrong. I have a set of belkin powerline adapters. My set-up is as follows:

Modem-> Router-> Poweline adapter -> 2nd adapter is upstairs -> network hub -> Ethernet connection to my laptop.

No set up at all was required for them!! I mean the only set up if say you live in a apartment block where the wires are shares, then you can use the security button to set up encryption. But other than that the large majority are plug-and-play.

OP: the set-up you suggested as an example could work I think!

[mikerr]

That's a bit like leaving a wireless router with the factory standard wireless encryption key. It'll work but it isn't something I'd do personally.

Not really in the same league - you'd need physical access to my mains wiring to access anything on homeplugs

-wifi can obviously be accessed outside the premesis.

[AledJ]

That's a bit like leaving a wireless router with the factory standard wireless encryption key. It'll work but it isn't something I'd do personally.

I don't follow your thinking! For example I have a wireless router in my house and if I leave it on factory settings, then yes someone else could crack it and use it. But with the homeplugs its not the same thing. As my house does not share its wire circuit with the one next door, there is not need to use the security button on them. But as I said in a previous post you can set an encryption key for the plugs if needed.

[Chunkers]

I have used Homeplugs and they are just plug and play unless you buy the type which have a wireless router built in.

The security software and set up is optional and I would agree that the security risk is low compared to wireless.

I have generally had good experiences but beware if your house wiring is old / noisy then you can run into problems.

Chunks

[burble]

I don't follow your thinking! For example I have a wireless router in my house and if I leave it on factory settings, then yes someone else could crack it and use it. But with the homeplugs its not the same thing. As my house does not share its wire circuit with the one next door, there is not need to use the security button on them. But as I said in a previous post you can set an encryption key for the plugs if needed.

The signals used by the homeplugs can leak through the consumer unit and can be strong enough to be picked up outside your property. I've tried it myself at my parents place when they wanted to allow their neighbour to use their internet connection.

[watercooled]

I don't see any problem with the OP's setup but as mentioned security is a must just as it is for WiFi, you will almost definitely have a metallic connection to your neighbour so the risk of data leakage/bandwidth theft is the same as it is for WiFi. It's not like it's an inconvenience, you set it up once and leave it and unlike WiFi it's not likely you'll have to type it in again often.

[Hawker1986]

I don't see any problem with the OP's setup but as mentioned security is a must just as it is for WiFi, you will almost definitely have a metallic connection to your neighbour so the risk of data leakage/bandwidth theft is the same as it is for WiFi. It's not like it's an inconvenience, you set it up once and leave it and unlike WiFi it's not likely you'll have to type it in again often.

Ive just bought a pair, how do you even go about setting it up?

Hawker

[watercooled]

It varies, check the manual.