Using Powerline Adapters to Extend your WiFi Network
IntroductionPowerline networking and Wi-Fi are two proven technologies for establishing a broadband network in the home or office environment without the expense and trouble to retrofit Ethernet cabling in the walls.
Powerline networking extends your LAN to any room in the house through the existing wiring, providing a reliable broadband connection from any electrical receptacle. Wi-Fi on the other hand provides the advantage of connecting to the network without any cables, enabling "untethered" access for laptop PCs, iPhones, and other mobile devices.
Powerline is an excellent choice for connecting "immobile" devices to the network - that is, devices that stay in the same location of the home or office and that do not get moved about. Examples include IPTVs, game consoles such as Xbox360, printers, servers, or desktop PCs.
In contrast, when mobility is an important criterion for a networked device, then Wi-Fi offers a compelling solution, although frequently a less reliable one. Compared to powerline networking, Wi-Fi can experience less reliable connectivity because of limited range and interference to the Wi-Fi radio-frequency signal.
However, by combining powerline networking with Wi-Fi, a user can often improve Wi-Fi reliability. Using Plaster Networks powerline adapters provides an easy, convenient way to install a Wi-Fi transmitter (or access point) at any electrical receptacle in the home or office to extend the Wi-Fi coverage and to provide optimum reception.
In a typical configuration, a user may have a Wi-Fi router located next to the DSL or cable modem. The router provides wireless access to the home network from most of the rooms in the house. However, some of the rooms may be too far away to receive an adequate Wi-Fi signal. In this case, the user can install a powerline network that connects a Wi-Fi access point in another part of the home, providing enhanced Wi-Fi coverage across the entire house.
Instructions
Extending WiFi Coverage to Additional RoomsExtending your WiFi network using Plaster Networks PLN3 adapters is very simple:1. Plug the PLN3 adapter into an AC wall socket and then connect an Ethernet cable from the adapter to an available LAN port on the router, as illustrated below.
Connecting Powerline to WiFi AP/Router 2. Next, plug in a second powerline adapter in the room where you would like to install the Wi-Fi access point. Connect the adapter to the access point using the Ethernet cable included with the PLN3 unit (or any standard Ethernet cable).
3. Some important points to note:
* Commonly, many Wi-Fi access points can function as routers so when using such a Wi-Fi/router make certain that the device is in DHCP client mode and that the Ethernet cable from the PLN3 is connected to a LAN port on the Wi-Fi/router. Please refer to the user manual of your Wi-Fi/router for instructions on setting up and configuring your Wi-Fi device.
* Some Wi-Fi adapters support an "extension" or "bridging" mode. Please disable this feature when installing a Wi-Fi access point using the powerline network (to prevent bridging loops). Please refer to your router’s documentation for more information on setting up and configuring your Wi-Fi device.
