Can you use different brands of powerline ethernet adapter?

[warp9]

Hi. I've been using the D-Link powerline ethernet adapter with their wireless transmitter quite successfully now for some months. I'd like to buy another wireless transmitter to expand my home network as per this link but can't find anywhere with them in stock.

Will another brand be compatible e.g. this one from TP Link?

Or are there compatibility issues across different manufacturers?
Thanks

[edeath]

In theory they should all be able to talk to each other but I have heard of compatibility issues. I have some Zyxel and TP-Link ones at home but only one set are plugged in so could test later if that would help you...

[warp9]

edeath said:

In theory they should all be able to talk to each other but I have heard of compatibility issues. I have some Zyxel and TP-Link ones at home but only one set are plugged in so could test later if that would help you...

That would help if it's not too much trouble!

[Dan_1981]

I asked the bloke in Maplins this question, when one of our two gave up the ghost, he said you had to use the same brand.

I took him at his word.

He was wrong.

[warp9]

Dan_1981 said:

I asked the bloke in Maplins this question, when one of our two gave up the ghost, he said you had to use the same brand.

I took him at his word.

He was wrong.

Which brands do you use? Any recommendations? Thanks.

[annodomini2]

There are different communication standards, not all are compatible with each other.

You need ones that are talking the same language, same brand and model generally ensures compatibility.

Find out what you already have and buy with the same protocol.

[warp9]

annodomini2 said:

There are different communication standards, not all are compatible with each other.

You need ones that are talking the same language, same brand and model generally ensures compatibility.

Find out what you already have and buy with the same protocol.

I've just tried searching for the protocol that D-link DHP-W306AV would use and can't find anything. Can you advise where to look or how to check this?

[Road2Ruin]

My guess would be the 200MbpsAV protocol. In which case thr 200s or 500 AVs should work. Anything else wont.

[Skier]

I've had Devolo and Netgear working alongside each other (both rated at 500Mbps)

[edeath]

There are a number of Homeplug Versions 1, AV (<200Mbps), AV2 (<1Gbps). AV and AV2 should be able to talk to each other but Ive heard Zyxels are fussy.

Homeplugs can be encrypted so there is a potential for them to be encrypted out of the box and therefore only talk to their partners.

Still at work - will test later...

[annodomini2]

warp9 said:

annodomini2 said:

There are different communication standards, not all are compatible with each other.

You need ones that are talking the same language, same brand and model generally ensures compatibility.

Find out what you already have and buy with the same protocol.

I've just tried searching for the protocol that D-link DHP-W306AV would use and can't find anything. Can you advise where to look or how to check this?

From D-Link

Hardware
Homeplug AV technology by industry leader Atheros
One 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port for connection to a router, set-top box, media player and other devices.
Power prongs for direct plugging into a power socket

Homeplug AV performance
200 Mbps raw PowerLine data rate
Built-in Quality of Service (QoS) engine to prioritise video, Internet phone (VoIP) calls and games

==================================================================================================

Homeplug AV 200

[rfisher]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRENDnet-TPL-308E2K-Powe...

^This.

Very much ^this.

If you have a few hours spare check out all 2000 plus items dabs_outlet have on Ebay.

I want them all.

Then take a look at Argos outlet.

Then Tesco outlet.

Before you can say Nelson who? it will be 2014.

Mmmmmmmmm Ebay.

[edeath]

Well just tried the 500mbps Zyxels with the 200mbps TP-Links and they wouldn't talk to each other which was disappointing.

The Zyxels are a Christmas present for the parents though so not massively bothered (and yes they are getting less boring things too )

[warp9]

annodomini2 said:

Homeplug AV 200

Thanks for confirming that, I thought that was part of the name!

[warp9]

edeath said:

Well just tried the 500mbps Zyxels with the 200mbps TP-Links and they wouldn't talk to each other which was disappointing.

Thanks for trying, I'll stick to the homeplug format.

[edeath]

They are all Homeplug format which is why it was annoying they didn't work. I think they are both h]Homeplug AV too as from further reading most 500mbps ones are Homeplug AV not Homeplug AV2

[gpo746]

Answer - Yes
Reality you get issues.

[Dodsy]

Zyxel kit probably encrypted out of the box so unless you used the config tool they probably wont talk to anything else.

I use lots of them and they can be a bit of a faff to get them talking to each other but once set they are fast and reliable

[CraigyMc]

Have a look at the table on this page: http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline-intro.htm

I use (and have used in the past): 14mbits, 85mbit, 200mbit and 1gbit homeplugs in various situations. All of them supported encryption, and all of them had a tool to let you program the encryption key into each homeplug.

[ZesPak]

gpo746 said:

Answer - Yes
Reality you get issues.

Dan_1981 said:

I asked the bloke in Maplins this question, when one of our two gave up the ghost, he said you had to use the same brand.

I took him at his word.

He was wrong.

He was half right. If you want good results, best go for the same brand, otherwise, you might find issues.