Power line network adapters have one major benefit over wireless networks in that they are not affected by structural issues within the home. . Whether due to structural interference or
For some home computer users wi-fi or other wireless networking technologies simply do not work well. For those that can’t use wi-fi or for those that simply desire increased network security the Netgear Powerline Network Adapters are valid and easy to use options.
For this review the Netgear 85mbps Powerline kit was tested in a four bedroom home where wi-fi reception from one end of the house to the other had always been problematic. Issues with poor signal strength had always plagued those that were using Netflix or playing online games on the other end of the house from where the wi-fi router was located. Here is where the Netgear 85mbps Powerline Networking Kit came to the rescue.
Setup and Installation of the Netgear Powerline Network Adapter
Getting the entire system up and running was incredibly easy and totally painless. In fact, there is no doubt that any user, even the most inexperienced, could get the kit installed in less than five minutes. The kit comes with two identical modules and two short Ethernet cables. One unit is plugged into the wall outlet (no power strips allowed) and the Ethernet cable plugged from the module into the home’s router or cable modem.
The second module is plugged in at the remote location within the home and is connected to the computer or to a second network switch box or router. That is all there is to it. On modern operating systems no additional setup is needed. It should simply work if everything is plugged in correctly using the easy to understand installation diagrams as a guide.
Performance of the Netgear 85Mbps Powerline Network Adapter
Prior to the installation of the Netgear unit slow wi-fi connections were the biggest complaint. When running the tests at Speedtest.net throughput consistently scored at less than half of what the home’s ISP was supposed to be providing. When the computer was hooked up to the power line network the bandwidth increased dramatically, up to the full 11Mbps speed that was promised by the ISP.
The adapter is capable of much more than the 11Mbps speed provided by the ISP. Over the internal network in the home video files could be passed from one end of the home to the other with throughput speeds of well over 50Mbps, allowing the user to enjoy streamed movie content with no buffering issues.
While newer versions of this same device now promise speeds in excess of the 85Mbps that this system is capable of for most home users the Netgear 85Mbps Powerline Networking Kit is more than adequate. Be aware that certain issues such as older wiring in the home or “noisy” appliances on the same circuit may give certain individuals problems, but in general this powerline networking technology should be considered by anyone having issues with wi-fi connectivity in the home.
Chad Criswell - Chad Criswell is a professional educator and freelance technology writer for numerous online and print publications throughout the United ...
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