Zoom ADSL Bridge Modem 5615 - DSL modem - external - Ethernet - 24 Mbps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Fast modem. Easy setup. Works well with AT&T/BellSouth. I bought this to replace a dead Moto 2210 received from AT&T (it was the classic Moto 2210, in that it died just a few weeks after the warranty expired). This Zoom is faster than the Moto 2210, and way faster than the old Westell that BellSouth shipped me a few years ago. The Westell was averaging 616 kbs, but this Zoom averages just under 800 kbs on the same line. Zoom is right.
I saw several web posts that said use VPI/VCI of 8/35 for BellSouth/AT&T, so I did, but I am not sure this was necessary. The Zoom instructions suggest setting the VPI/VCI only if you are using a static IP, which I am not. In any case, it works great.
It does not have a built-in router, but that is by design. If you have your own router, this is actually better, because the setup is easier. But you do have to follow the instructions to access the modem from your web browser, because the modem does not support DHCP. Just manually set your ftp to use IP address of 10.0.0.4, and then you can acess the modem at IP 10.0.0.2.

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ENET USB ADSL 2/2+ BRIDGE MODEM

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Netgear XE103G-100NAS Powerline Ethernet Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I would have rated this 5 stars but for the price. It seems a bit expensive and if wireless had been an answer probably the way I would have gone. I have been having wireless network problems and wanted something that would extend my lan in the house without lots of wiring. This is a great answer. I read the directions (made sure it was not plugged into a power strip), plugged in near my router, went upstairs, plugged it in there and it worked, no problems and as fast as when right next to the router.
I must admit there was also a somewhat unresearched idea that my data is safer on a wire network than wireless, even with the encryption that I used when my wireless worked.

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The NETGEAR XE103G 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Kit lets you easily extend a home network using just the existing electric lines of your home, eliminating the need to run unsightly Ethernet wires all over your house. At 85 Mbps, you'll have more than enough speed to download music, stream videos, and make internet telephone calls without any hiccups.
True Plug and Play Installation The XE103G comes with two XE103 units. Simply plug one of them into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cord. Plug the second one into the wall outlet where you need a network connection and connect it to any Ethernet-ready device. That's it. There's no software to install. You can create as many network connections as you need by connecting more XE103 units wherever you need them. Each device has easy-to-read icon LEDs for status information at a glance.
Fast Performance Each XE103 supports speeds up to 85 Mbps which is enough for multiple video streams without interruptions. The XE103 has a 10/100 Ethernet port with which you can connect a PC, gaming console, Slingbox, DVR, NETGEAR's SC101T Storage Central Turbo or ReadyNAS NV+, or another networkable device. In order to enable encryption, you need a computer with Windows Vista, XP, or 2000.
What's in the Box Two XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapters, installation guide, Ethernet cable, setup CD, and warranty/support information card.

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Cisco-Linksys PLE200 PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)See also the Linksys PLK200 Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit, which is more economical.
This product is based on a "HomePlug-AV" chipset than runs a specialized type of sofware known as "firmware". Linksys does not design, manufacture, or maintain this chipset or its firmware. An unaffiliated company does that, and Linksys is just one of dozens of that company's customers.
I've purchased about 20 (twenty) PLE200s over the past year--from Amazon and other sellers--and all of them have shipped with firmware version 1.4.5 installed. The primary purpose of my 'review' here is to caution you that hardware running firmware version 1.4.5 cannot communicate with hardware running newer firmware versions. I hope this caution reaches people who have already purchased the PLE200 as well as those who are contemplating doing it.
Version 2.0 implemented a change that was required to achieve compliance with the HomePlug-AV standard. That change unfortunately rendered 1.4.5 unable to intercommunicate with versions thereafter. Fortunately, no subsequent firmware change will have such a devastating side-effect.
"HomePlug-AV" products currently coming off various manufacturers' production lines are likely shipping with 2.0 or later firmware installed. Be advised that if you wish to build unified network consisting of PLE200s and these other products, you'll have to upgrade the firmware in your PLE200s; otherwise, the PLE200s and the other products won't even "see" each other. Not only that, but they'll probably also step on each other's transmissions because of inability to coordinate their usage of the powerline medium.
The PLE200 ostensibly is compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard, but it actually is NOT compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard until its firmware is upgraded from version 1.4.5 to version 2.0 or newer. As of this writing, 3.0.5 is the newest version.
Linksys ought to provide a binary image of the firmware for download on their web site, but I don't see it. The Windows GUI application that Linksys ships on CD with the PLE200--it has a mechanism for programming a new firmware image into a PLE200, but I've never used it and am not certain it is able to perform the 1.4.5-to-later upgrade even if it were given the appropriate binary image.
Being an engineer who is doing development work in the HomePlug-AV space, I have the means to do the upgrade, but it requires my using some software that is not available to the general public. To the general public who already own PLE200's, I would suggest pestering either Linksys or the chipset manufacturer about the firmware. To everyone else--maybe you can find a HomePlug-AV adapter under a different brand name that comes with firmware version 2.0 or later pre-installed.

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The PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter lets you turn the existing powerlines in your home or office into a high-speed network. Now you do not have to drill through the walls and climb through the attic or cellar to install network cables -- just use the wires that already run through the building! The PowerLine AV Adapter interfaces Ethernet devices to the HomePlug AV PowerLine network standard. Just plug the PowerLine AV Adapter into the wall, and connect your Ethernet-equipped device to the Adapter using the included network cable, and you have turned your whole house into network infrastructure! Attach more computers to the network by simply plugging them into the wall anywhere in the house, using more PowerLine AV Adapters.

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Belkin F5D4071 Powerline Networking Adapter Starter Kit (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The only thing with this device is that you need to plug it directly into a wall socket, not a multi-outlet device. With that caveat, the device works great. I was having problems with my wireless N signal cutting out on me and it was driving me nuts. I looked at all of these devices available on Amazon and decided to go with one of the least expensive to see if it would work. Not only is it working, the status indicator shows a throughput speed of 100 Mbps. I don't have any way to check that, but it certainly seems to be better than my average wireless N connection (I would occasionally see throughput numbers over 110 Mbps with the N connection but not consistantly). It has also increased my download speed at least 4x what I was getting with the unreliable wireless connection. I am a happy laptop user now.

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The Belkin F5D4071 Powerline Networking Adapter Starter Kit allows you to easily create a network or extend a network connection in your home using existing electrical outlets. You no longer have to worry about tripping over your long Ethernet cables, or suffer through problems with wireless reception or interference. Just plug a Powerline Networking Adapter into an outlet, and you have a new network connection.
Quick and Easy Setup By taking advantage of the existing electrical wiring in your house, you don't have to perform any complicated wiring to create a robust Ethernet-based home network. The Powerline Networking Adapter turns your existing electrical wiring into a home network. Simply plug one Adapter into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with the included Ethernet cable. Then, wherever you need a network port, just plug another Adapter into an available wall outlet, and--presto!--you've created a new network connection. In your living room, for instance, you can easily connect your broadband TV, and your Xbox or other gaming console; in your home office, you can connect your computers. If you need a connection in your attic--no problem!
This kit includes two Adapters, letting you create one network port wherever you have an outlet. The kit affords you a couple of placement options: you can either plug the Adapters directly into the wall with the wall-plug Adapter, or you can place the adapter farther away from the wall with the power cable.
Fast, Secure, and Stable Network Connection The Belkin Powerline Networking Adapter runs at speeds of up to 85 Mbps, letting you quickly download information, stream music and movies, and make Internet phone calls. (Actual speed and distance will vary depending on interference, network traffic, building materials, and other conditions.) The Powerline Networking Adapter is HomePlug 1.0 certified, can coexist with HomePlug AV, and is compliant with the 802.3/802.3u standards.
Unlike a wireless network, which can often come and go depending on interference from appliances and other household items, the Powerline Networking Adapter creates a stable connection that is not affected by external factors. It also features a 56-bit DES link encryption with key management for secure communication, keeping your personal information safe from intruding eyes.
The included installation software requires Windows 2000, XP or Vista 32-bit. The Belkin Powerline Networking Adapter Starter Kit is backed by a lifetime warranty.
What's in the Box Two Powerline Networking Adapters, two Ethernet cables, two power cords, two wall plug adapters, quick installation guide, and CD with installation software and user manual.

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NETGEAR HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been looking for a way to avoid running network cabling around my entire home. I tried the wireless route, and did not find the technology quite there yet for VoIP, Online Gaming and HD Streaming. When I stumbled upon the new PowerLine HD products. While this technology has been around for a while, this was the first time it looked mature enough to be "acceptable" in my network. After a little research I settled on the NetGear HDX101's.
This product has performed marvelously. I am using them to bridge various local LANs (PC/Gaming, 360/Entertainment Center)I have in my home to the broadband router. At each HDX101 I am getting at least 100Mbs tx and rx. I then use a switch for each local network to connect all of the networked devices at that location. VoIP, online gaming and normal web surfing all going on at the same time worked great. Streaming media to the 360 from the PC, flawless.
I heartily recommend this product to anyone who wants a fast network and doesn't want to bother running cable through the house.

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The NETGEAR HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter turns any electrical power outlet into a network connection. If you're looking for a fast, easy way to provide Ethernet connectivity to just about any device in your home, then this handy adapter is an excellent solution. The HDX101 gives you the bandwidth you need for high-quality video streaming, gaming, and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), without the headaches of running expensive Ethernet cables all over your home.With simple plug-and-play installation, this device turns any electrical outlet into a network connection. This compact, handy device delivers up to 200 Mbps to any outlet, and with no software required, you'll be ready to network your home right out of the box.
This is an ideal solution for connecting PCs, game consoles, digital media adapters such as NETGEAR's EVA8000, or a Skype cordless phone such as NETGEAR's SPH200D to your home network. Here's how it works: plug one HDX101 into your router and a nearby electrical socket, then plug a second HDX101 into any electrical socket that is conveniently located near the device you want to network. Each HDX101 has a built-in Quality of Service (QoS) that enables smooth streaming, awesome gaming performance, and uninterrupted VoIP telephone calls. The bottom line is, you get a powerful, seamless home network that runs on your existing wiring.
Please note that this product comes with only one HDX101 adapter. You'll need to buy at least two adapters to start your network, or you can purchase the NETGEAR HDXB101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit which comes equipped with two HDX101 adapters. The Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter makes it a breeze to transfer large files to a network storage device, such as the NETGEAR Storage Central Turbo SC101 or the ReadyNAS NV+ RND4250. It supports up to 16 HDX101 units on one home network; and it easily coexists with a host of NETGEAR's HomePlug compatible products.
System requirements include a device for connection, e.g. an available RJ-45 Ethernet port, and Microsoft Windows Vista, XP or 2000 to modify encryption and settings. Microsoft Vista drivers are available at www.netgear.com/vista.
Note: Although the HDX101 may coexist with HomePlug 1.0 products, it is not compatible or interoperable with NETGEAR's XE104, XEPS103, XE103, XE102, or WGXB102 Powerline products.
In addition, this device can deliver up to 200 Mbps of throughput. The actual data throughput will vary depending on network conditions and environmental factors, such as network traffic volume, building material and construction, and network overhead.
What's in the Box One NETGEAR HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter, Ethernet cable, installation guide, setup CD, warranty card, and support and information card.

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HP LaserJet P2015dn Printer (CB368A#ABA) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Last week was HP week at Office Depot and I decided to buy the HP LaserJet P2015DN for [...]. Things I particularly like:
--250 sheet input tray under the unit, not stuck out front, reminds me of the old LaserJet II and III workhorses that are still in use by some
--fast start up
--fast print, even duplex
--lots of paper choices, including recycled which I usually use
--small footprint
--easy set up
--excellent print
--plenty of memory for a single user, easy memory upgrade if more needed
--front tray for envelopes, etc.
Things to know:
--cartridge included is the smaller one, rated at 3000 pages (larger is rated at 7000)
--"D" means duplex
--"N" means network card included (not in use by me)
--4 models available
P2015
P2015D
P2015DN (mine)
P2015X comes with a 2nd 250 input tray and 7000 page cartridge
--recommended page volume is 740 to 3,000 pages per month, though the advertised duty cycle is up to 15,000 per month.
This printer was designed for workgroups, though it will serve me well as my primary printer at home. It sits next to my humble HP 1510, ink jet printer, copier, scanner, which I will use if color is needed. I was tired of replacing black inkjet cartridges every 200 pages or so at $15 a pop and having only 50 pages in the input tray. A replacement 3000 page toner cartridge costs about $80.
I started printing the first 100 pages of a document I wanted on paper in the duplex mode. Although duplex is "automatic", one has to tell it to print duplex. It resets to one-sided at the end of the job. By the time I found my 3-hole punch and binder, the job was done, so I printed the other 107 pages which were ready as soon as I was. The duplex process is a bit noisy, but not obnoxious.
If you want the detailed specs, there is a 4-page document at the HP site that covers all 4 printers.
Thanks to the user comments here at Amazon, I decided against a color laser printer in part due to the problems with other than 20 lb. paper. I don't really need color for most of my printing, and am pleased with this choice.


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If you need automatic two-sided printing and the ability to network your printer, HP's LaserJet P2015dn has you covered. The small but powerful P2015dn is capable of print speeds of up to 27 pages per minute (ppm), and features instant-on technology, a technology that delivers the first page in less than 8.5 seconds from sleep mode. Ideal for large and small offices, the printer's integrated networking technology makes it easy to share the printer among work teams without compromising printer performance or document security. The printer also supports high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, which provides data transmission speeds of up to 480 mbps for fast printing and easy expansion. The printer comes with a 400 MHz processor and 32 MB standard memory, which is expandable to 288 MB. The printer delivers true 1,200 dpi output for professional-quality documents, including high-visibility reports with complex charts and graphics.Sleek and attractive, this compact printer is designed for minimal tray protrusion and fits easily on crowded desktops. The toner transfer and fusing processes of the printer are designed around HP toner to optimize print quality and deliver high-speed performance. Uniform toner particles enable precise placement and control for crisp and consistent print quality. Capable of handling duplex print jobs, the printer comes with a 250-sheet input tray, a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray, and supports the following paper sizes: letter, legal, executive, index cards, and envelopes (No. 10). The printer supports Windows 98 SE and later and Mac OS X v 10.2.8 and later operating systems. Measuring 14.3 x 13.8 x 10.1 inches, and weighing only 24.3 pounds, the printer is backed by a 1-year manufacturer's limited warranty.
What's in the Box HP LaserJet P2015dn printer, print cartridge, getting started guide, CD (includes software and user's guide), and power cord.

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Cisco-Linksys USBVPN1 USB BPN and Firewall Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Easy to setup, personal firewall. Tunnel was easy to setup and utilize. Works with the older and newer Linksys VPN products.
Would like to see the device made smaller but still easy to port.

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Let the Linksys USB VPN and Firewall Adapter protect your PC and your communications wherever you go. This easy-to-pack, lightweight, network interface with advanced safety and security features connects you to the Internet through any broadband connection (cable, DSL, or your hotels fast Internet service), and protects your PC from most known Internet attacks with a powerful Stateful Packet Inspection firewall. You can also optionally block Java, Active X, and Cookies -- known points of entry for hackers. The Adapter connects to virtually any PC through the USB port, and requires no external power supply. Once youre connected, you can establish a Virtual Private Network tunnel from your PC to a corporate network using the popular IPSec VPN standard, and your transmitted data will be protected by government-spec DES or Triple-DES encryption. Its also a perfect traveling companion to the Linksys Firewall Router (BEFSX41) or VPN Router (BEFVP41) on your home or small office network. You can securely connect to your home resources to retrieve files, or check your local email. Once youre connected over VPN, its just like being attached to the local network. With the Linksys USB VPN and Firewall Adapter protecting your PC and communications, youll have one less thing to worry about when youre traveling.

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Toshiba PCX2500-DAZ8821F-B 43Mbps USB Cable Modem Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I use RCN broadband and this modem is rock solid. It has never locked up on me, and does not require frequent reboots. About once a month or so I'll cycle the power on it just because my cable provider says to do so. But I have absolutely no complaints about the modem itself. I've had it for 2 years, and never had any troubles with it.
The highest speed I've gotten from my connection using this modem is 755kb/5500kb

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The PCX2500 offers the highest performance in cable data modem technology today, providing residential and business users with one of the fastest two-way interfaces to the Internet. As the first "production" cable modem certified under DOCSIS 1.1, the PCX2500 is a new standard for DOCSIS cable modems.The Toshiba PCX2500 DOCSIS Cable Modem has been CableLabs Certified to meet the rigorous interoperability requirements of the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 1 .1 standard. This assures you that the Toshiba PCX2500 DOCSIS Cable Modem will work seamlessly with any DOCSIS network no matter where you are.The cable modem is easy to install using either USB or a standard Ethernet 10/100 connection to your PC or to the network hub in a small business. With support for up to 16 PCs, the Toshiba PCX2500 DOCSIS Cable Modem is ideal for SOHO environments where secured, shared Internet access is a requirement. For MSOs, Toshiba's PCX2500 DOCSIS Cable Modem includes such advanced features as a customizable self-installation wizard, remote and local diagnostic capability, remote firmware download and SNMP support.

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Hitachi SimpleNET NAS Head USB 2.0 Portable Dongle SNET (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Hatachi SimpleNet NAS USB to Ethernet promises a truly simple way to connect a USB storage device to your home network via wired Ethernet connected to your home router. Setup and control is managed through an internal web server accessible through Apple's Bonjour (zero configuration networking) software. No MAC (Media Access Control) address in included on the box so installation of Bonjour for windows ([...]) is mandatory. Apple Mac users have Bonjour built-in to OS X through Safari.
All of this innovation as well as the small form factor induced me to purchase the device and set it up for use with both USB thumb drives as well as a Western Digital external USB storage device.
As promised SimpleNet connected to the disk / flash subsystems and made the storage accessible over my home network via Bonjour. However in about 10 minutes the plastic box housing SimpleNet became very warm. At that time the disk / flash subsystems were no longer network accessible. The internal web broswer's setup pages then became blank and no longer displayed information.
Removing the power (supplied through an included 5 volt adapter) for twenty minutes to permit the device to cool again allowed me to connect to my storage, but only after repeating the setup process. Clearly this became tedious.
Note that no paper manual is provided and the mini disk containing the manual and Bonjour for Windows software is only compatible with tray drives CD readers.
Sadly it's back to the store with this device. It would have been a great way to create a NAS (Network Attached Storage) system to a home or small business network. I hope they try again, but first do the beta testing in the lab.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hitachi SimpleNET NAS Head USB 2.0 Portable Dongle SNET (Black)

SimpleNET is the easiest way to make your existing USB drive even more valuable!Share its contents across your network, quickly and easily!SimpleNET is a small network adapter that enables you to share and access existing USB hard drives over a network.Simply plug a USB hard drive into SimpleNET and then plug SimpleNet into an Ethernet network. The drive then appears as a network drive on the network.Easy to install, easy to use! SimpleNet is extremely cost effective too!Why pay more for a new hard disk drive?Make your investments pay off by sharing music, photos, videos or documents in minutes!No configuration necessary, no additional drives to buy.

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NETGEAR DS108 8 Port 10/100 Mbps Dual Speed Hub Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Net gear is owned by by Bay Networks, which does not make rinky dink equipment.
This hub has solid metal construction, sockets in the front, and lots of flickering lights that show the tranfer speed, and show who is connecting at either 10 or 100 Mbs. We use it to share one (adelphia 2-way cable) internet connection among 6 PCs, along with files and printing. No problems so far.
This hub handles the standard hub task with ease, and with a utilitarian aesthetic quality that you won't see in 3com's white plastic. 3Coms tries to disguise their hub as an external modem- why?
(p.s. I'm confused as to why 3Com's 8-port 10/100 hub costs over twice as much)

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The Netgear DS-108 10/100Mbps Dual Speed Hub connects multiple PCs to share printers, files, Internet access, and e-mail communications. You can mix and match 10 and 100 Mbps PCs, servers, and peripherals with this hub, all without any configuration required. The DS100 family combines many capabilities in a compact package and is designed for cost-conscious small-business users.
Each unit has a built-in self-learning bridge that provides the communications link between the 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps network devices. The intelligent bridge automatically manages network traffic so that 100 Mbps traffic and 10 Mpbs traffic do not unnecessarily crowd each other.

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Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First and foremost its important to state that powerline networking is not as simple as just plugging in adapters and sprinkling pixie dust. There are many factors that affect the performance of the units in use. To those who have noted that these units did not give them any additional speed over their current implementation is not to say that these items dont work as advertised, it simply illustrates that their partiucular implementation is not ideal for powerline networking. What I am getting at is that in most of the cases mentioned they referenced a already existing solution that was well below the rated speed and thought that they would get more if they placed these in service. If your not alreay maxing out your current solution what makes you think you would get more out of something faster? Obviously, these were situations where the problem was environmental not product specific.
I recently placed a set of these into service in my home to provide networking between floors where a set of bridged wireless routers was not cutting it. These are on separate circuits (different breakers) but on the same phase (same side) in the junction box. I currently see 4 to 5 megabytes of throughput across them which is huge ove my previous solution. My wife is now able to take full advantage of the 20 to 25 megabit per second internet connection as well as enjoy streaming from our media server without any stutter. All in all these were a stellar upgrade to our problem of networking on the second floor. So much so that I will be adding another set to the network to provide extended wired and additional wireless coverage to the house.
Now like i mentioned before powerline networking is more alchemy then science. There are a multitude of problems that can significantly impact your throughput. After doing significnat research before my purchase I discovered several factors that can cause problems for those going down this road. Listed below are some of the major snafus that will cause you problems.
1. If your circuits cross phase (opposite sides of the breaker box) dont even try stick with wireless.
2. If your Circuits are behind GFCI or AFCI you will have problems. All houses built after 2002 probably have AFCI breakers supporting bedrooms and will soon have them for hallways and other rooms.
3. Do nto place them in surge supressors or battery backups with any kind of line filtering.
4. They are all vulnerable to line noise so motors or particularly noisy CFl's can reduce the performance.
5. Poor grounding of your electrical wireing may hurt it.
6. Old wiring can be problematic.
7. Distance will significantly reduce performance quickly.
I summary I would highly recommend these to anywone looking to provide a solution for wired networking in their home where they cannot get to the floor or ceiling to run regular cat5 cable and where wireless is not providing the performance they were looking for. However, make sure the place you buy from has a solid return policy should they not work for your installation. If amazon has them for cheaper go buy them at BB first, test them if they work then you have the option of returning and rebuying or just keep em since it appears the amazon return policy is a bit troublesome for some.


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Belkin Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit F5D4076 Powerline Network Adapters

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ZyXEL PLA470 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Desktop Adapter with Built-In 4-Port 10/100 Fast Ethernet Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's true that HomePlug AV nodes cannot intercommunicate with HomePlug 1.0 nodes. ZyXEL and most, if not all, other HomePlug AV hardware manufacturers are derelict in not pointing out that fact. As an engineer who works with HomePlug almost full-time, I know that AV kicks 1.0's tail in terms of bitrate versus SNR. That doesn't excuse ZyXEL's dereliction, but it gives you cause to ponder retiring your HomePlug 1.0 hardware and replacing it with HomePlug AV hardware. Even if you think you won't benefit sufficiently from HomePlug AV's nominal 14x bitrate improvement, you might need AV's ability to reach more electrical outlets in your building with a bitrate that is usable for your application.
There's another compatibility matter to be aware of. When I examined a new PLA-470 the other day, I was disappointed, but not surprised, to find that the version of firmware installed in the HomePlug AV chipset is an old, pre-standard version, 1.4.5, that is not truly HomePlug-AV compliant and, more importantly, that cannot intercommunicate with subsequent firmware versions. I have not checked to see whether ZyXEL provides the means to upgrade the firmware of the HomePlug-AV chipset. The newest version is 3.0.5. For more detail on the topic of HomePlug-AV-chipset firmware, see my review of the Linksys PLE200.

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NETGEAR XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I like hard data as well as opinions, and could not find much on this device. I tested these units for my own benefit, and provide the test, analysis, and my opinion to assist you.
Description/Test Setup/Notes
Description:
Determine Netgear XE103 throughput in real life situation.
Comparison with 802.11B wireless throughput in the same test situation.
Test Setup:
Two Windows XP SP2 endpoints with intervening switch.
XE103 Route - Computer1:Switch:XE103:Power Wiring:XE103:Computer2
802.11B Route - Computer1:Switch:802.11B AP:Air:802.11B PCMCIA:Computer2
Test based upon transfer of folder from Computer1 to Computer2.
Size of transfer = 376 MB (395,129,843 bytes).
No other devices on network, except those described.
No other activity on test computers, other than transfer monitoring.
Test results will be time of transfer.
Transfer monitored by network bandwidth monitoring software.
Netgear Encyption Utility, supplied with XE103, displays connection rates.
The XE103 devices are using maximum encryption supported, 56-bit.
The 802.11B devices are using maimum encryption supported, 128-bit.
All values recorded for comparison and analysis.
Notes:
The XE103 devices are affected by household wiring.
Quoted 85Mbps rate will only be found where devices in very close proximity.
Computer2 is located close to AP for 802.11B maximum rate and signal
reliability.
Computer2 is not located in same room as Computer1, power line routing
unknown, but not a great physical distance.
The XE103 provides extra security and network partitioning by using a
network identifier. All devices that will communicate together are
configured by the user to use the same network identifier.
Special Notes:
When comparing bps and Bps, there are some general rules of thumb.
In wired LAN environments, rule of thumb is 10 bits per byte, resulting in a 10:1 ratio between bps (bits-per-second) and Bps (bytes-per-second).
In wireless LAN environments, rule of thumb is 20 bits per byte (extra framing overhead, encryption), resulting in a 20:1 ratio.
Though not exact, you may find these values useful in comparing products.
In both wired and wireless cases, manufacturers quote highest rate possible at the lowest communications level.Test Results:
XE103
Netgear Utility displayed rate between XE103 devices = 42 Mbps
Bandwidth Monitor displayed rate = 1.2 MBps
Transfer time = 372 seconds = 1,062,177 Bps802.11B
Device setup utility displayed maximum signal and rate = 11 Mbps
Bandwidth Monitor displayed rate = 462 KBps
Transfer time = 985 seconds = 401,147 BpsTest Analysis:
The XE103 performed 2.65 faster over the 802.11B in a timed comparison.Product Opinion:
I have noticed that the Netgear Utility shows flunctuating rate values during different time periods. The lowest rate has been 18 Mbps, highest 45 Mbps.
The XE103 is at a premium price when compared with other powerline models.
If similar test data can be found, it may be more cost effective to use a less expensive model (manufacturer quoted as 14 Mbps).
If Internet surfing is main desire for the remote computer, then comparison of ISP provider rate to these tests results should be done.
For highest security and speed, nothing will surpass a wired network.
Powerline and wireless are a great convenience.
Judge which is best by comparing your needs and desires for speed and
security.
I hope that this helps in your research.


Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter

The NETGEAR XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter lets you easily extend a network using just the existing electric lines of your home, eliminating the need to run unsightly Ethernet wires all over your house or apartment. At 85 Mbps, you'll have more than enough speed to download music, stream videos, and make internet telephone calls without any hiccups.
True Plug and Play Installation Extending a network using the electric lines in your home requires two XE103 units. Simply plug one of them into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cord. Plug the second one into the wall outlet where you need a network connection and connect it to any Ethernet-ready device. That's it. There's no software to install. You can create as many network connections as you need by connecting more XE103 units wherever you need them. The device has easy-to-read icon LEDs for status information at a glance.
Fast Performance The XE103 supports speeds up to 85 Mbps which is enough for multiple video streams without interruptions. The XE103 has a 10/100 Ethernet port with which you can connect a PC, gaming console, Slingbox, DVR, NETGEAR's SC101T Storage Central Turbo or ReadyNAS NV+, or another networkable device. In order to enable encryption, you need a computer with Windows Vista, XP, or 2000.
What's in the Box XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter, installation guide, Ethernet cable, setup CD, warranty/support information card.

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RJ45 1x2 Ethernet Connector Splitter, Light Beige Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This device allows you to COMBINE 2 ethernet ports from a switch/hub/router into 1 cable and to SPLIT the cable back out to 2 ports for use with computers or other ethernet devices.
A typical ethernet CAT5 cable has 8 wires in it; and for 10/100 ethernet networks you only use 4 of those 8 wires. Therefore you can use the other unused 4 wires to run another ethernet segment.
In order to use this product properly you have to connect 2 ports from your switch/hub/router. Then a regular CAT5 ethernet cable to wherever you need to go and put ANOTHER one of these on the end to split the signal back out.
Typical use:
PROBLEM: You have 1 ethernet cable connecting to a computer (for example) and you need to add another computer or other device. You do not want to run another ethernet cable.
SOLUTION: Install one of these on both sides of the ethernet cable. 1) At the source of your ethernet network (where your router/switch/hub is); remove the existing ethernet cable; then take two empty ports and plug them into the 2 ports side of this device. Then plug the ethernet cable that you just unplugged into the single port side of this device. 2) At the end where the computer is, remove the ethernet cable from the computer; and plug it into the single port side of this device. Then connect your computer and the additional device to the two port side of this device.
(It does not matter which port of this device you plug your computer/additional device into).
In closing ... You MUST combine 2 ethernet ports from your switch to make this work. I see reviews all the time from people who do not know how this works and they give bad reviews because it won't work for them.

Click Here to see more reviews about: RJ45 1x2 Ethernet Connector Splitter, Light Beige

Convert and increase your Ethernet connections from 1 to 2 sockets. Allow two computers to share high speed DSL, cable modem and Ethernet ports. Convert a single RJ45 outlet to two RJ45 sockets easily.Compact design. 8 wire RJ-45T adapter, parallel wiring. Connector: 3 x RJ45 female.NOTE: This Ethernet splitter allows two computers to share one Ethernet line ONE AT A TIME, but it doesn't support both computer to connect onto the internet simultaneously.

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Panasonic BL-PA100KTA Ethernet Adaptor Starter Pack Includes two HD-PLC (High Definition Power Communication) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I researched competing products from DLink and NetGear online and read numerous reviews. Any of the HD-PLC products should perform similarly in the same situation. Before deciding on a powerline Ethernet product be sure to understand that the quality of your home wiring and the distance the signal must travel all can affect the performance of the product. Poor quality wiring or very long electrical runs may limit performance.
What I liked most about the Panasonic product is that the kit which includes two units is preconfigured, so it works right out of the box without any special configuration. I didn't have to install ANY software to get my network running. I plugged in one unit to my Internet router, and the other unit into a power outlet in a nearby office. Once I connected the Ethernet cable, I was up and running. It was really that easy.
One nice thing with this unit is that you can run a speed test from the unit itself, with the front LED's displaying the estimated network performance. This was handy as I tried different outlet combinations to acheive the best performance. As a side note, I found that plugging the "Master" unit into an outlet as close as possible to the breaker box yeilded the best results. By putting the master as close to the break box as possible (electrica wiring distance) I was able to get a much better signal. I have the master unit in a downtairs room that is about 40' from the breaker box, and the secondary unit in an upstairs office that is about 65' feet from the breaker box.
Note that any powerline Ethernet product is susceptible to interference from other devices. Pay attention to the manual regarding the types of devies that can cause interference, and avoid ever pluggint the device into a surge protector, since that will greatly limit performance.
An additional nice feature of the Panasonic unit compared with DLink and NetGear is that the unit has a power cable. This allows me to plug it into "hidden" outlets, and then place the box in an easy to reach location. Both the NetGear and DLink products are a box that plugs directly into the outlet. This makes them more difficult to access, especially if you want to look at the box to see what it is doing. I like that the Panasonic can sit nicely on the corner of my desk and I can see the lights. I also suspect that the Panasonic will operate cooler since it can be placed in locations where there is air flow all around the unit.
Performance will vary by house and situation. I have a gigabit network switch that connects my machine directly to a server. When I copy a 50 megabyte file to my server using Windows XP, it takes 8 to 9 seconds to copy a 50 megabyte file. Running the same 50 megabyte file copy to a machine on the HD-PLC network connection took about 27 seconds. This seems to be pretty good performance overall. Note that "speed test" is only as good as what is being tested. My test was a real world test under Windows XP copying a 50 megabyte ZIP file.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic BL-PA100KTA Ethernet Adaptor Starter Pack Includes two HD-PLC (High Definition Power Communication)

The HD-PLC (High Definition Power Line Communication) ethernet adaptor makes it possible for your home electrical wiring to serve as a link between your PC and modem. Getting online access is as easy as plugging into a power outlet. You can move your PC and connect to the internet anywhere there is a power outlet in your home!

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Cisco-Linksys Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Linksys makes a version of this unit ( WAPPOE12 ) - that is designed for 12 volt systems.

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The Linksys Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit lets you put your access points almost anywhere, by removing the requirement of nearby power outlets. By using the existing Category 5 Ethernet cabling to deliver power to any standard 5 volt access point or other network device, you save the time, hassle, and expense of running AC power to the access points installation location. The best position for a wireless access point is usually on the ceiling, in the center of the area to be covered. Second best would be high on a nearby wall. Unfortunately, theres usually no easily accessible AC power plugs available in these locations. With the Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit, installing the access point in these preferred spots becomes far less trouble.

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D-Link DNS-343 4-Bay Network Attached Storage Enclosure Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my third D-Link NAS. I bought a DNS-323 one year ago and it has been on ever since, serving up files reliably to my PC/Mac home network, downloading torrents, and streaming videos to my PS3/XBOX 360 (after installing Twonky Media Server). Based on my mostly positive experience with D-link products and price-to-features ratio, I decided to stick with the brand. I had wasted money on a Galaxy Metal Gear NAS, and read mostly lukewarm reviews for Netgear, Iomega, Linksys, and other makers. Other NAS devices like the DLNA-enabled Buffalo Technology LinkStation Live were attractive, but their price point or storage capacity was not. I need a large number of bays to create a centralized media server.
When I outgrew the DNS-323, I bought a DNS321 2-bay when I really should have applied that $130 toward this 4-bay product instead. I wanted to consolidate the half dozen 1 TB external drives I had sitting around and network them so I didn't have to keep plugging and unplugging USB cables when I wanted to retrieve files. My home network is heterogeneous and I also needed the ability to write large files (4 GB+) to the drives. FAT32 is the only mutually writable format across XP and Mac, but it has a 4 GB filesize limit, making it impractical for my movie storage needs. The D-Link uses a Linux file system (ext2 or ext3, your choice), so filesize concerns are now gone.
I've had this product for a week, and so far so good. The device can be configured from any web browser, so you don't need the CD (which is a Windows-only configuration app). I have 1 TB Hitachi and WD drives inside. Build quality is solid (made of thick aluminum). It's a brick of a device and looks quite durable.
For the price, I am not expecting world class security and many bells and whistles. I just need it for storing my personal files and media on my home network, and stream them, and for that, it works to my satisfaction. The iTunes server works very nicely. For file transfers, I FTP to it and do all my copying that way. For some reason, the Mac is a lot faster (20MB/sec) than copying from XP (10MB/sec). Vista is the worse, and I usually get 5MB/sec.
It would've been really great for D-link to include BitTorrent support for this, like the DNS-323. Maybe in a future firmware update.
All in all, I'm quite happy with this product. I don't place heavy expectations on it and don't demand $1,500 server performance from a $370 device. It was the cheapest 4-bay NAS I could find for the features I wanted and gives great overall performance for the price. You can install telnet on it (look for Fonz's funplug) and open the device up to more hacking if you are so inclined.
Will update this review as I use the device more.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DNS-343 4-Bay Network Attached Storage Enclosure

The D-Link ShareCenter 4-Bay Network Storage Enclosure (DNS-343) connects to your network instead of to a computer so everyone on your network can back up content to one central location. Plus, it lets you share your stored content across your network and over the Internet so family members, friends and employees can access it no matter where they are.

Get 8% OFF

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