Homeplug/Powerline network data over power cables

[_deano]

Anyone have one of these systems and are they any good?
With all my computer stuff now in a cabin at the back of the garden i need a high speed way of shifting data from the cabin (about 50ft away from the house and a further 30ft from the router) to the wireless router. I currently have a setup that works, but it's not fast enough (main NAS is in the house under the stairs) fr transfering large amounts of data or if i have more than 3 computers running at one time with a WiFi connection. I've thought about putting a Cat5e cable out to the cabin but it seems too much work considering i already have a 6mm power cable running out to the cabin.
I've not really looked into this, but is it as simple as router -> cat5e to powerpulg -> through the power cable -> to another powerpug -> through another cat5 cable -> into computer/switch/hub?
Or is there more to the setting up than this?

thanks
DJ

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

From what I've heard mains data transfer is even slower than G wireless.

[TheExcession]

Just run a plain old CAT5 cable, I have one running near my electric fence that does exactly this job.

50 metres is nothing for Etherent and you can use the cheapest cable going and just replace it in a couple of years or if a rat happens to chew through it.

You next best bet will be a wireless link, though if you are in a dense urban area then you might have problems with finding a free channel.

If you are googling for a wireless link try sticking in 'WDS' - Wireless distribution system. If you want to go the Wireless route and the area is already populated by lots of other APs then you will want to use external high gain antennas, these, when corectly aligned will not 'see' all the other APs in the area.

If you are in a quiet area then a couple of APs in WDS mode, even with the supplied 2dB antennas should d othe job fine.

As for power line distribution, then take a look at www.solwise.co.uk they do some of this stuff, but I have to admit to never trying it.

best
Ex

edit to tidy up link and also say, if you want any further info feel free to mail me via my profile.

Edited by TheExcession on Friday 27th October 15:40

[BliarOut]

TheExcession said:

Just run a plain old CAT5 cable, I have one running near my electric fence that does exactly this job.

Just be aware of induction....

[plasticpig]

Cat 5 cable is your best option. Unless you want to spend 6K on an optical IBL.

[Plotloss]

Powerline is pants.

Fundamentally.

[deva link]

If you do use Cat5, try to get hold of the external stuff (usually black). Standard Cat5 doesn't last long if exposed to sunlight.

Could you put a wireless repeater at the extremity of your house?

There was a discussion about wireless on another motoring forum the other day and a guy who manages installations in schools recommended Belkin's pre-11n stuff as performing very well. They also do repeaters.

Try some stuff from PCWorld - you can always just take it back if it doesn't do what it says on the box.

[TheExcession]

deva link said:

If you do use Cat5, try to get hold of the external stuff (usually black). Standard Cat5 doesn't last long if exposed to sunlight.

I've got ordinary CAT5 cable outside that is perfectly fine after nearly 2 years of operation.

Mind you we don't get much sun over here

[flossythepig]

Plotloss said:

Powerline is pants.

Fundamentally.

Please explain this reasoned argument.

[Plotloss]

flossythepig said:

Plotloss said:

Powerline is pants.

Fundamentally.

Please explain this reasoned argument.

Lets see.

Its per node price is expensive
Its limited to 16 devices
It wont work on complicated wiring schemes
Powerlines as a transmission medium are prone to network transmission rate affecting issues likes surges and brown outs
Its practical data transfer rate is poor in comparison to the marketing hype

How reasoned do you want in order to justify it being called what it is, pants? (in comparison to just about any other transmission medium.)

[Mikey G]

flossythepig said:

Plotloss said:

Powerline is pants.

Fundamentally.

Please explain this reasoned argument.

I dont think electricity cable is designed to transmit frequencies as efficiently as cat5, especially when its transmiting its own 50hz frequency as it is.

[deva link]

Plotloss said:

flossythepig said:

Plotloss said:

Powerline is pants.

Fundamentally.

Please explain this reasoned argument.

Lets see.

Its per node price is expensive
Its limited to 16 devices
It wont work on complicated wiring schemes
Powerlines as a transmission medium are prone to network transmission rate affecting issues likes surges and brown outs
Its practical data transfer rate is poor in comparison to the marketing hype

How reasoned do you want in order to justify it being called what it is, pants? (in comparison to just about any other transmission medium.)

As the OP wants to do a simple point to point link then it may well be fine for his purposes. Although in practice, he'll probably be 'injecting' the signal into the house ring main, and the link to the outhouse will be separately wired, which isn't ideal (but should still work).
There a lot of stuff going with powerline network equipment development and many in the relevant consumer industries think it may well end up being the best solution for home networking.

[_deano]

i don't really want to be digging up the garden again to put in Cat5 (in a conduct), but if this is the best option at the moment then i will be looking into this. Is there a specfic name for the outdoor cat5 cable?

[Plotloss]

External Grade Cat5e.

You can get direct burial as well but its difficult to find.

[_deano]

cool, thanks Plotless