Ethernet powerline adapters?

[Teekz]

Hello, all.

I wasn't sure whether to put this issue in Networking or Hardware, but went with here. Apologies if my decision was incorrect.

Basically, I have here 2 desktop machines, and a laptop, all running Windows 7.

Before the problem, one desktop and the laptop were connected to the router wirelessly, and the other desktop was connected via ethernet powerline adapters (apologies, but I do not know the technical term for these. They are basically a plug, with an ethernet socket. One is plugged in and connected to the router, and another is plugged in somewhere else in the house and attached to the PC).

Internet access could be achieved by all machines, and all machines could read one another's files at fairly high speeds, at least 2MB/s.

Now, however, the other desktop is running on ethernet powerline adapters as well, leaving only the laptop on a wireless connection. The only problem with this is that the 2 desktops can now only read each other's files very slowly, the most I have seen it get to is 256KB/s. What's odd, is that internet access speeds are not impaired at all, both machines can access the web at the same speeds they used to, simultaneously. The only issue is connecting with each other.

Any insight as to why this would affect just the desktop-to-desktop connectivity, and not internet speeds? And if so, is there a fix? The powerline adapters provide a much more stable connection than wireless used to, but the connectivity speed reduction between the desktops is quite the pain.

Any help appreciated,
Tom.

 

[zigzag3143]

Hello, all.

I wasn't sure whether to put this issue in Networking or Hardware, but went with here. Apologies if my decision was incorrect.

Basically, I have here 2 desktop machines, and a laptop, all running Windows 7.

Before the problem, one desktop and the laptop were connected to the router wirelessly, and the other desktop was connected via ethernet powerline adapters (apologies, but I do not know the technical term for these. They are basically a plug, with an ethernet socket. One is plugged in and connected to the router, and another is plugged in somewhere else in the house and attached to the PC).

Internet access could be achieved by all machines, and all machines could read one another's files at fairly high speeds, at least 2MB/s.

Now, however, the other desktop is running on ethernet powerline adapters as well, leaving only the laptop on a wireless connection. The only problem with this is that the 2 desktops can now only read each other's files very slowly, the most I have seen it get to is 256KB/s. What's odd, is that internet access speeds are not impaired at all, both machines can access the web at the same speeds they used to, simultaneously. The only issue is connecting with each other.

Any insight as to why this would affect just the desktop-to-desktop connectivity, and not internet speeds? And if so, is there a fix? The powerline adapters provide a much more stable connection than wireless used to, but the connectivity speed reduction between the desktops is quite the pain.

Any help appreciated,
Tom.

Tom can we get a diagram/description of the network setup? Router? Modem?, etc


Ken J

 

[Teekz]

Ah, in my tired state I may have confused the terms for modem and router. My apologies.

Right, well.. If this is what you mean, then we just have a modem, (BT Home Hub 2), to which the laptop connects wirelessly, and the 2 desktops each have a pair of ethernet powerline adapters (one of each pair in the modem, the other in each machine).

The machines do not access each other via the Homegroup, but through mapped network drives. The Homegroup service is disabled on all machines.

My first thought was that since the desktop machines struggle to communicate with one another at normal speeds, the ethernet adapters could be causing interference, but surely that would impact internet access also?

 

[Teekz]

Was that not the information you needed, Ken?

 

[Teekz]

Does nobody have any information on this? I hate to double post, but I'm eager to find out the answer.

 

[Everlong]

Have you got any connected to power surge adapters? These can cripple their speeds and they need to be plugged in to direct outlets ideally.

 

[Teekz]

All 4 adapters are plugged directly into wall sockets, as recommended in the manual.

 

[Phone Man]

I am not an expert on Powerline but I do use one pair for my laptop (WiFi never worked right in my home). What you may try is to use only one adapter at the Modem and one on each PC and see if that helps. This way you have one network on the power wiring. What you have now is two networks on the same wiring and that may require a different setup on the adapters. Check you manuals and see if it address this type on configuration. What is the brand and model of your adapters?

Jim

 

[Teekz]

I'm fairly certain that these adapters only work in pairs only. I remember reading something in the FAQ in the manual that said "What if someone else in my apartment building has these adapters?" and the answer said that they are matched as pairs, and will not pick up any other connection.

 

[Phone Man]

What is the brand and model? Most adapters allow multiple units on the same wiring with one master (at modem) and multiple slave units at the PC's.

Jim

 

[Teekz]

Forgot about this thread, sorry. We've since switched the other PC back to wireless, as the adapters kept disconnecting. A technician I talked to thinks it's something to do with the wiring. I forget what he said.

Still, this matter is no longer an issue. Thanks for trying to help, though!

 

[Everlong]

Thanks for letting us know