Network switch has priority?

[wittykitty]

Hi guys,

Thanks to you guys on sevenforums I got my NAS & internet connected downstairs using a network switch, all is working perfectly.

However, upstairs now seems to have slower internet and network transfer. My printer is networked, but the time taken to send something to the printer and actual printing is extended, and also internet itself is slower, even when the computer downstairs is switched off.

It's definitely something to do with the new switch, because when I disconnect it from the router all speed is back up.

Is the network switch somehow claiming priority, or is my router bouncing stuff downsitairs before sending back upstairs to the printer?

Your thoughts would be most appreciated (again!).

Kit

 

[UsernameIssues]

What is the manufacturer and model number of your homeplugs?

And can you describe what is connected to what on your upstairs network?
(e.g. is your printer connected directly to the router or via another homeplug?)

 

[wittykitty]

Hi,

Upstairs I have router which has the following devices connected:

Printer
Homeplug
Computer
One spare port

The homeplugs are solwise, and the network switch is Netgear - same as router.

Something else I've noticed as well, the internet connection keeps dropping out upstairs, and I have to restart the router to bring it back.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I'm not finding any evidence online that those homeplugs would have a problem with a switch.

So - the router has a LAN cable going to the upstairs homeplug
then thru the home's power/mains wiring
to the downstairs homeplug/switch/computer/NAS

Let's make sure that the problem is not with your router. There is a slim chance that the router just happened to start working okay for a bit while you had the homeplug disconnected. Maybe you have already done this - but I would suggest using your upstairs computer, run a speedtest (maybe this one) a few times and take note of the average download and average upload speeds. Then disconnect the LAN cable at the router that runs to the homeplug & repeat the speedtest data collection.

You should repeat this several times:
get an average with the homeplug connected
get an average without the homeplug connected
repeat and see how repeatable your results are

Leave the downstairs computer on and the NAS and the switch. Keep them connected as pictured in the other thread. Just disconnect the cable from the router upstairs for the test mentioned above.

If the results repeat and they always show a slowdown when the homeplug is connected - then the problem is with the "homeplug to homeplug" and/or the "switch/computer/NAS" combo downstairs. If the problem does not repeat - then the problem lies elsewhere.

 

[wittykitty]

the router has a LAN cable going to the upstairs homeplug
then thru the home's power/mains wiring
to the downstairs homeplug/switch/computer/NAS

YES

It's definitely something with downstairs as when I unplug it from the router everything speeds up. Will run a few speedtests through tomorrow and post the results.

It's good to get a bit of input on how to narrow down where the problem actually is.

Cheers

 

[chev65]

This links to an article about using Home plugs and what can cause them to slow down.

Slow HomePlug? Five Ways To Boost Powerline Network Speed - SmallNetBuilder

You can also use power line filters to cancel out low frequency noise which can also cause slow connection problems.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/lanwan-howto/31316-slow-homeplug-try-a-powerline-filter

 

[wittykitty]

Oh wow that's brill, thank you!

I'm not up on homeplugs so this is a real help

 

[wittykitty]

Thanks so much for the article posted by chev65.

I think powerline technology has come a long way since I bought mine - they're only 85mps, so I've decided to invest in a pair of 200 AV homeplugs, we'll see how I get on with those. I think I'm just trying to stream too much data down a narrowband connection.

Will keep you posted!

 

[chev65]

Thanks so much for the article posted by chev65.

I think powerline technology has come a long way since I bought mine - they're only 85mps, so I've decided to invest in a pair of 200 AV homeplugs, we'll see how I get on with those. I think I'm just trying to stream too much data down a narrowband connection.

Will keep you posted!

Ok sounds good, apparently there are faster and slower versions of Homeplugs that I wasn't aware of.

 

[wittykitty]

It's new to me too! I hope this sorts it, we'll soon find out