Powerline Ethernet Bridge from Linksys

[camster39]

Anyone have any experience with the Powerline Ethernet bridge?

I've got my Netgear wireless router in the basement but I can't seem to get the signal upstairs. I've messed around with the placement of the router but I'm falling short. It's a real pain to run CAT5 cable upstairs so I'm looking at the Powerline solution.

Besides for my limitation of 14mbps are there any other drawbacks to this?

Thanks

 

[bcastner]

None, they work great. There are similar products from Siemens and Netgear.

I have never tried to mix and match, so I cannot speak as to whether they work in this use. I am told the do, but purchasing a matched pair makes more sense.

The Siemens and Netgear are often cheaper in price than the Linksys, and smaller in size. Plus for some reason Linksys does not give you a cable to connect with, while the other two brands are nice enough to include the cable.

I have used these bridges several times with the Linksys WRT54G router, and have had zero problems.

 

[camster39]

Sounds good. Just so I have this right, can you confirm that I have this right.....I would hook one of these directly into a port on my router and then plug directly into an outlet. Then I "should" be able to go to any other outlet in my house and hook up another Powerline bridge and connect that via a Cat5 cable to my Ethernet PC and I'm in business.

One other question, these things are advertised to go up to 14mbps. When would I get 14 vs 1? Does it work like wireless where the farther I move from my router the worse the signal is and the slower the speed. Or it powerline a constant speed at any outlet?

Thanks much.

 

[bcastner]

Your understanding of how to connect the devices is correct.

The speed does not drop with distance like a wireless connection.