Networking through the Mains Supply

[-pops-]

I'd be the first to admit that wireless networking is a mystery and, although I had a wireless network connecting my three machines, it was more by luck than any understanding of what I had done to get it working.

I've always found wireless to be a bit "flaky" and temperamental and when I saw that you can now get Ethernet bridge systems that operate via the mains supply at a reasonable price, I thought I'd give it a go.

I found my old single-port ADSL modem and tested it to check it still worked - it did. I then bought a Netgear 5 port Ethernet switch (model FS605 v3) and three Netgear Wall plugged Ethernet Bridges (model XE102).

It takes longer to describe than it took to actually set the system up but it was a case of connecting the modem to the Ethernet switch, connecting my main machine to the switch then a Wall plugged Ethernet Bridge to the switch and then to the mains supply. Downstairs I then plugged another Wall plugged Ethernet Bridge into a mains socket and the Ethernet cable into the back of an auxiliary computer. It worked straight away with no adjustments or fiddling necessary at all. Full network connection with my prime machine was maintained.

I then wired up my third machine (the one the grandchildren use) and again, worked with no hitch.

Finally, knowing my new printer had Ethernet but not having set it up, I then did just that wiring it directly to the Ethernet switch.

I now have a full operating three computer network with printer set up in just a few moments.

Very happy with it and recommend it over a wireless system any day - more secure as well as the bridges can be easily encrypted.

The worst part was grovelling about on the floor at the back of my desk plugging the Bridge into the wall socket (not supposed to use them from a strip).

[Scarecrow Man]

Sounds wonderful for a desktop connection, but I think wireless is still the way to go for a laptop connection and other portable devices. Of course, there are quite a number of things that can interfere with wireless signals like telephones and mobile phones.

I wonder if this would work in a power outage, and how it works with surges and drops in voltages? Of course, if the power goes out you probably wont be using your computer anyways!