Network Ethernet over Mains

[Gatt]

Is this any good?

 

We have been getting problems with our broadband's SNR (2147483647 db downstream!!)

 

The router is on an extension lead upstairs to where our PCs are, but we have been advised to move it to the master socket.

 

Rather than running CAT5 upstairs to another Hub, I was curious if these things are any good?

[ahuxham]

Sure are, a few of our boarding houses are listed buildings etc etc therefore we cant touch anything related to internal work. We use the DLAN networking kits and they're superb for the job. Not 100% efficient but what more can you ask for.

 

Just make sure, wherever your using Ethernet over mains, make sure its all the same phase. Otherwise you sit there for hours trying to figure out why its not working.

[FN-GM]

I can’t say I have tried them but I have been told from one person they are naff and work intermittently. On the other hand another person has told me theirs is fine for basic internet traffic, they can’t cope with major traffic though.

[SimpleSi]

We have been getting problems with our broadband's SNR (2147483647 db downstream!!)

 

Maybe routers not working properly

 

The router is on an extension lead upstairs to where our PCs are, but we have been advised to move it to the master socket.

 

Unless your extension wiring is very dodgy (i.e you wired it yourself ) the chances of this being the issue are actually very much less than what the "help" desk tell you

 

if you plug router in downstairs does SNR change?

 

regards

 

Simon

[Gatt]

@SimpleSi - This was my thought but I thought i would keep the helldesk monkeys happy and at least try it. Wil be trying it shortly..

 

Muppets had also stuck us on a 1Mbit profile even though we were paying for a 8Mbit one!! Think i might claim for some cash back for the last 5 months!!

[FN-GM]

Muppets had also stuck us on a 1Mbit profile even though we were paying for a 8Mbit one!! Think i might claim for some cash back for the last 5 months!!

 

I would you are paying for something you didn't get!

[ahuxham]

The router is on an extension lead upstairs to where our PCs are, but we have been advised to move it to the master socket.

?

 

Have you asked your electrician what the phasing is like. I.e. are there more than one "lines" running through the building. I know for example here, for 2 x ICT Rooms and our Server Room we have 2 phases. One to run the server room and the other for the PC's as too not overload everything. Might be the problem ;]

[jcollings]

Is this any good?

 

We have been getting problems with our broadband's SNR (2147483647 db downstream!!)

 

The router is on an extension lead upstairs to where our PCs are, but we have been advised to move it to the master socket.

 

Rather than running CAT5 upstairs to another Hub, I was curious if these things are any good?

 

2 of my techies use them in their homes and swear by them. Both live in big old houses so cabling is tricky and they reckon these sort their problem just fine.

[srochford]

Ackworth school has used them extensively - David Palmer is their IT guy and he was very happy with them (they have several listed buildings where running fibre etc was not going to be easy - the mains networking was much easier to set up and worked pretty well).

[tom_newton]

Slightly OT - but I have seen shorter/better quality phone cables improve line speed but not by a helluva lot.

[torledo]

Have you asked your electrician what the phasing is like. I.e. are there more than one "lines" running through the building. I know for example here, for 2 x ICT Rooms and our Server Room we have 2 phases. One to run the server room and the other for the PC's as too not overload everything. Might be the problem ;]

 

are you sure there are 2 phases and not seperate disttribution boards fed from a singe phase.

 

we have a 415v coming into our service entrance from there several distribution boards are fed from the main panel for termination of mechanical (e.g A/C), ighting, and computer power circuits. The dizzy boards are rated for a certina amount of amps....a server room would/could/shoud be on it's own board and a beefy 3-phase ups should be hardwired to a dedicated circuit but a dedicated phase for a server room ?? no, it's overkill in most instances.

 

Unless you're server room needs a massive amount of juice dedicated 415v phase for server room isn't necessary, and it's not normally done except when the redundancy of seperate phases is required. Even then the phases wouldn't be for the sole use of the server room - phases would be used for all eectrical requirements in a small-to-medium sized environment.

Edited May 27, 2008 by torledo

[ahuxham]

are you sure there are 2 phases and not seperate disttribution boards fed from a singe phase.

 

we have a 415v coming into our service entrance from there several distribution boards are fed from the main panel for termination of mechanical (e.g A/C), ighting, and computer power circuits. The dizzy boards are rated for a certina amount of amps....a server room would/could/shoud be on it's own board and a beefy 3-phase ups should be hardwired to a dedicated circuit but a dedicated phase for a server room ?? no, it's overkill in most instances.

 

Unless you're server room needs a massive amount of juice dedicated 415v phase for server room isn't necessary, and it's not normally done except when the redundancy of seperate phases is required. Even then the phases wouldn't be for the sole use of the server room - phases would be used for all eectrical requirements in a small-to-medium sized environment.

 

Amplitudes of servers / Core switches and the likes including Server Room AC's which arent hardwired into the phase = Single phase.

 

We've just had another one put in as well for the Swimming pool and Sports Hall.

[Ben_Stanton]

I've used both the Netgear and Devolo kit (they also do a homeAudio kit too). Both work fine, no trouble at all. Up and running literally as you plug them in (assuming circuits used go back to same DB).

 

Grade II buildings here, majority of network cabling i've laid in the loft spaces. Also, rather sneakily followed an existing hole in the wall, to the outside, up some conduit I cable tied behind a drainpipe and then in under the eves and in. I also fitted some AirCon at my last job and chucked all the pipes into some drainpipe - looked perfect.

 

As previously stated, they are not 100% and need a technical adjustment every now and then (on/off). But would recommend them where necessary.

 

Ben

[Gatt]

Thanks All...

Next question - wheres best place to get them and whats a reasonable price for them?

[ahuxham]

Thanks All...

Next question - wheres best place to get them and whats a reasonable price for them?

 

cpc.co.uk or uk.insight.com (Devolo DLAN)

[Gatt]

Cheers will check them out...

[Michael]

I seem to re-call that internet connectivity operating over mains electricity was capable of speeds of 50Mbps or above, unless the speed is simply being capped by the ISP? Or the equipment to receive the internet this way is extremely expensive? It's strange how it hasn't taken off or that it isn't the UK's solution to a limited copper infrastructure.

[ahuxham]

I seem to re-call that internet connectivity operating over mains electricity was capable of speeds of 50Mbps or above, unless the speed is simply being capped by the ISP? Or the equipment to receive the internet this way is extremely expensive? It's strange how it hasn't taken off or that it isn't the UK's solution to a limited copper infrastructure.

 

I always wondered that. Wasn't there a movie once about all this jazz. A virus that could infiltrate anything via electrical socket (Maybe that's what everyones worrying about) or on a more serious note. I've noticed things take 1-2years after everyone else has it for it too catch up over here.

[joe90bass]

I always wondered that. Wasn't there a movie once about all this jazz. A virus that could infiltrate anything via electrical socket (Maybe that's what everyones worrying about) or on a more serious note. I've noticed things take 1-2years after everyone else has it for it too catch up over here.

 

 

Demon Seed by Dean Koontz? Wasn't about a virus, more a supercomputer that could think and wanted to reproduce! It took control of the house systems, and more. Read the book many years ago..........

[rhyds]

The kits work very well, AS LONG AS YOU DON'T PLUG THEM IN TO SURGE PROTECTORS! These usually contain filters which have a nice habit of filtering out the network signal along with electrical nasties.

 

The technology's sound, as it's basically sending a modified Wi-Fi signal down the cable, and as long as all your points are connected to the same fusebox/distro board you should be fine. Also electricity meters dampen the signal, so you won't be backfeeding your network signal to next door...

[FragglePete]

We use the Devolo mains kits here. For when laptops trolleys are used where there is no network points in the rooms.

 

Seem to work ok, even had 32 laptops running off one device without any major problems.

 

Pete

[torledo]

Amplitudes of servers / Core switches and the likes including Server Room AC's which arent hardwired into the phase = Single phase.

 

We've just had another one put in as well for the Swimming pool and Sports Hall.

 

Are you saying then you have a dedicated 230V supply coming into the building purely to suppy you're server room, server AC, and core switches. Seperate from the 415V or 230V supply feeding the rest of the school (except swimming pool)... Also, if you're AC isn't hardwired what is it ? one of those portable jobbies. If it's a small wall mounted unit it should receive power form the outdoor single or three-phase condenser...technically the indoor unit is still hardwired.

Edited May 27, 2008 by torledo

[RabbieBurns]

Clarity :: ADSL Filtering...

 

Putting one of these on the master socket as well instead of using the little pigtail filter increased my up and down speeds substantialy

[greenfieldsupport]

Hmm

 

we use them to connect up our old gym to the network..

 

we use a Point to Point Wireless Bridge between the buildings, (the gym part is where the point is, and we needed access in the changing rooms / offices)

 

so we then ran the AP to an Ethernet over power device and we have an ethernet over power plugged into the male staff office, this then goes into a switch and then into wireless points lol.

 

Id say our setup is alot more scary than what youve got planned so it should work fine .

[john]

I use Netgear Ones in a few places and they are very good bits of kit, work well and reliable.