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Livers · Mar 7, 2008, 02:05 AM

Hi,

Has anyone tried any of the netgear or dynamode powerline adpaters with their iMac's? I recently contacted Dynamode who said their product wasn't tested with MAC's (i did point out several sellers who said it was but they said it incorrectly advertised). I'm trying to set up a network at home to connect my iMac and consoles using the mains rather than wireless due to the thickness of my walls.

Any help, mucho appreciato!

T

cms · Mar 7, 2008, 03:02 AM

I don't have any experience with the Netgear powerline units but regularly supply and install Devolo powerline networking product in mixed Apple and Windows networks. They are a German brand and widely available here in the UK. There are lots of different options (various data transfer speeds; wireless access points, etc.), they all carry a 3-year warranty and work with Apple and Windows kit right out of the box.

Livers · Mar 18, 2008, 04:16 AM

Excellent, thank you!

Nivag · Mar 18, 2008, 02:40 PM

The Netgear ones work as well straight out of the box.

turtle777 · Mar 28, 2008, 11:15 AM

Yes, Netgear works. I'm using an older version.

However, if you want to enable encryption, you need to use special PC software to activate it. I don't know if the newer boxes have Mac software or have browser admin access.

-t

Stizo99 · Mar 28, 2008, 01:45 PM

Does anyone know how badly the performance of these powerline adapters are affected when plugged into surge protectors or if they even work at all?

Also, is the performance affected when introducing noise in the powerline like when running a vacuum cleaner?

turtle777 · Mar 28, 2008, 01:57 PM

I haven't tried, but I read that it doesn't work going through surge protectors.

This is definitely not ideal.

I have the ethernet go through my UPS, which provides a special ethernet IN and OUT port for protection.

-t

cms · Mar 28, 2008, 02:20 PM

Most user manuals for these devices expressly state that they should not be deployed on a surge-protected power strip. In my experience, some do work but their performance is definitely compromised.

As for vacuum cleaner noise affecting them, I really wouldn't know. Haven't used one of those in years......

turtle777 · Mar 28, 2008, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by cms

As for vacuum cleaner noise affecting them, I really wouldn't know. Haven't used one of those in years......

I doubt my Roomba will cause interferences.

-t

amazing · Mar 28, 2008, 06:57 PM

haven't tried these, but the feedback reviews are good (and the price is excellent!), and you don't need a PC to configure them. Surge suppressor hookup not recommended,

Amazon.com: Panasonic BL-PA100KTA Ethernet Adaptor Starter Pack Includes two HD-PLC (High Definition Power Communication): Electronics

The pdf manual from panasonic's website says:

5. If you are not able to connect an adaptor’s AC cord directly to a wall outlet and
must use a power strip, make sure the power strip is plugged directly into a
wall outlet and not to another power strip.
6. Make sure the power strip does not have a noise filter or a surge protector, as
these features may interfere with the performance of your adaptors.
7. Use a power strip with an AC cord that is as short as possible.

turtle777 · Mar 29, 2008, 11:54 AM

Ok, so I just did a test with my old Netgear Powerline XE102 adapters.

W/o surge protector: Read: about 0.6 MB/s, Write 0.45 MB/s

Stand alone surge protector: Read: about 0.35 MB/s, Write 0.15 MB/s
Power strip w/ surge protection : no connection at all
UPS (APS) with surge protection : no connection at all

Seems like IF you are lucky, you get a very reduced throughput. Worst case: nothing.

-t

tridentinecanon · Mar 31, 2008, 07:04 AM

Not to insult anyone, but what is the point of these? The speeds noted here pale in comparison to a simple wireless network.

ghporter · Mar 31, 2008, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by tridentinecanon

Not to insult anyone, but what is the point of these? The speeds noted here pale in comparison to a simple wireless network.

Reinforced concrete walls, conventional wood-framed walls full of pipes and wires, distances of more than about 30 meters, intervening sources of RF interference and other issues make powerline a viable choice in certain situations. It's not for everyone, but then neither is gigabit wired Ethernet for everyone.

Nivag · 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by tridentinecanon

Not to insult anyone, but what is the point of these? The speeds noted here pale in comparison to a simple wireless network.

Just sometimes wireless can't reach the parts of a house that your mains power already goes to. Yes you could put a wireless repeater in between to boost the signal. But it's a lot easier to use these, especially in homes.

turtle777 · Mar 31, 2008, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by tridentinecanon

Not to insult anyone, but what is the point of these? The speeds noted here pale in comparison to a simple wireless network.

Not very well informed you are.

The latest generation of powerline adapters is WAY faster than even 802.11n.

Powerline HD Network Kit

According to Cnet, they got up to 52.7MBps throughput.

-t

cms · Mar 31, 2008, 08:32 AM

I installed a couple of Devolo devices on a client's LAN the other day. The newer devices are advertised to run at 200 Mbps -- and they really do.

turtle777 · Mar 31, 2008, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by cms

I installed a couple of Devolo devices on a client's LAN the other day. The newer devices are advertised to run at 200 Mbps -- and they really do.

Those are expensive ($ 240) and hard to get in the US.

I will probably grab the Netgear HD at some point.

-t

tridentinecanon · Mar 31, 2008, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Not very well informed you are.

The latest generation of powerline adapters is WAY faster than even 802.11n.

Powerline HD Network Kit

According to Cnet, they got up to 52.7MBps throughput.

-t

No way! 52.7MBps!?

Since you claim to be more informed than I, could you tell me what the throughput in 802.11n is??

tridentinecanon · Mar 31, 2008, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Reinforced concrete walls, conventional wood-framed walls full of pipes and wires, distances of more than about 30 meters, intervening sources of RF interference and other issues make powerline a viable choice in certain situations. It's not for everyone, but then neither is gigabit wired Ethernet for everyone.

Thanks for the straightforward, non-demeaning answer, ghporter.

I figured is was a small niche in the market, and I wanted to make sure that it wasn't something I needed to consider.