D-Link DHP-306AV powerline Ethernet adaptor

I don't believe it

Leave the DHP-306AV plugged in but not connected to a local device and after a minute or so, it drops down to less than 0.01W, popping back up to 0.02W every five seconds or so to keep the powerline link alive.

I don't believe these numbers. 10mW?? An ethernet port takes more than that. How are you measuring this? I would expect figures around 4W and even that would be good.

Can you give us proper numbers please. It's important; power consumption is the big downside of powerline networking.

Split phases or transformers can be a hassle

Some (many?) people have split or two phases (two hot wires plus neutral) power line supplies and should these adapters be on different phases loss of signal can affect operation.

I solved this by using 0.1 ceramic capacitors between the phases to improve signal transmission.

Often power suppliers will equip street side transformers with similar devices on request if you want to connect across therm to, say, a neighbour.

If in doubt find an electronics technician - there should be a fuse or breaker protection between where the capacitor is attached and the meter - even it is on a shared circuit (i.e. doesn't have to be dedicated).

Switched power supplies in equipment can play heck with these devices, as can fluorescent lights.

question for Tony Smith

Tech Spec sheet Minimum System Requirements (for PC Utility Software): " Windows 7, Vista, XP SP2 or 2000 SP4" ... will these work with Linux? Or will they work but you just can't use their utility software? Why do you need the utility software anyway?

Nice but

Great concept well done.

But realistically another illegal Radio Transmitter using a testing loop hole for certification. Just like all the other Networking over mains.

I bet it still connects WITHOUT any mains wiring. Extension cable and switched of table lamp on a UPS will be enough aerial.

Train wreck

Wait till you get a tower block stuffed with these things and not only do they wipe out huge chunks of genuine legally used spectrum, but also start to wipe each other out.

Radio 4 FM isn't going to be affected by these

But Ambulance services, the Police, Military etc etc all use shortwave radios, and these devices defecate all over that spectrum.

Let me repeat that, the interference these devices cause you probably won't see, which is one of the problems. "Hey, it works for me, so why should I care?"

"The D-Link adaptor has push-button encryption: press the key on each adaptor and they'll jointly agree on and share a 128-bit AES encryption key. "

Oh, I wonder why they would need to use encryption? Oh, that's right, it's because the house wiring acts as a broadcast antenna (mains wiring isn't shielded) so any Tom, Dick or Harry can sniff your network from down the road.

It's just a shame that the group fighting against these devices seemed to have hired a web designer from 1997:

http://www.mikeandsniffy.co.uk/UKQRM/

I think a far more interesting story for the Reg to print would be about how these devices have been certified for use when they clearly and plainly cause problems to other SW band users. They are not fit for the purpose they are sold for.

here you go

I have 3x 1004 netgear homeplugs (same as someone above). In in hallway with router, one in the shed and one in the living room. All 3 are on different "rings" but same consumer unit. My robertson LW doesnt complain (switch the microwave on to kill that!).

Had them for a year and they are still trucking. Never switched them off. It can stream 1080p to my XBMC

Horrific Devices

Terrible devices. I often listen to Radio 5 on AM for the football and its the case that you can be driving through a built up area in traffic and you'll suddenly hear the unmistakable sound of a powerline adaptors coming out of your speakers.

Now granted the signals don't travel very far, but it's still not acceptable that people can install devices that interfere with the broadcast bands. Let alone the security implications of squirting this data outside of the building (the fact that the newest devices have encryption is very telling).

And before someone tells me to stop listening to AM, I believe testing has shown the latest generation of these devices also interfere with FM and DAB in exactly the same way.

further evidence...

FYI

quote verbatim: "Tried, and failed. The things kept on losing connection in our avetage 3 down, 3 up semi, and yes, the FM radio wipeout is all true. We were told it's just a handful of radio enthusiasts getting interference from these things. Well, I can confirm it affects your radio one listening (or whatever else you listen to) as well. Total wipeout in fact, which wouldn't have been so bad had they woprked properly!"

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/comment/1730244/solwise-1000mbps-mediaxtream-homeplug-av-adapter

Inductive interferance?

I have Netcomm powerline adaptors and they simply refuse to work if any high current device is turned on ANYWHERE in our house. Oil column heaters and clothes dryer are prime culprits.

It may be that the Netcomm ones are just plain crap (Netcomm stuff has never been great) but I don't want to go out and buy a different brand just to try it out. It could also be the poor wiring in our house. We don't have anywhere near enough power points so everything is connected using multiple power boards. It is not possible for me to dedicate power points to the devices because each room typically only has a single or in a few cases a double outlet and these crappy netcomm units don't have pass through.

Has anybody had experience with high current devices fubaring these EoP devices?