What is the Powerline and how does it work ? Let me introduce you to this technology and explain how to use Powerline adapters to extend your internet connection at home .
Do you have connection problems at home because the signal from the modem does not reach some points?
The Powerline technology is a cost effective solution that helps you in a very simple way to bring Internet connection in your home even where the wi-fi signal the modem does not come.
The p owerline communication is a technology born already in the 1920s, but whose domestic use for the Internet is widespread since the early 2000s, when the HomePlug Powerline Alliance introduced the first powerline standard .
This technology simply allows data to be transported using a network of conductors already present in the home, a network normally used for power supply.
Powerline adapters (also called modules) must be connected to the power supply and in fact become new hotspots to connect to.
In practice, the Powerline network takes advantage of the existing electrical system in the house to create a home LAN (ie a network) where you can connect your devices with which you will go to surf the Internet.
The Powerline adapters are in fact special devices that decode the electrical signals and convert them into digital data, as well as the modem decode and interpret the signals that pass from the twisted pair.
Unlike range extenders (another valid solution for extending the wi-fi network), Powerline adapters manage to keep the original signal strength almost completely intact , if your electrical system is in good condition.
No matter the distance: Powerline adapters work even at distances very far from the source.
To connect your computer to the Internet using this technology you need to have at least 2 adapters and follow these simple instructions :
- connect the first adapter (called mother or primary adapter in jargon) to an electrical outlet near the modem router you normally use for your connection
- connect the modem router to the first Powerline adapter, using an Ethernet cable
- now insert the second Powerline adapter (called a child or secondary adapter) to the electrical socket of the room where you intend to bring the Internet signal
- turn on the second adapter using the appropriate switch (usually present on the sides)
- now connect the second adapter to the computer to be connected, using an ethernet cable or, if your Powerline adapter has wireless support, wirelessly
- Now press the connect button on the secondary Powerline adapter and wait for all the LEDs to turn green
At this point, the procedure changes slightly depending on the type and model of adapter.
There are in fact various types of Powerline adapters .
Generally, the first distinction is between cheaper adapters that allow you to connect the child adapter to the computer only via Ethernet cable , and more expensive and advanced adapters that allow you to transmit the Internet signal not only via Ethernet cable but also via wireless. or wi-fi .
In general, however, you will need to configure your adapters for your modem router by accessing the control panel of the adapter.
In the case of adapters with wireless support, to access the control panel you will need to establish a connection with the computer using the credentials indicated in the instruction manual of the device.
For cheaper adapters with an Ethernet cable connection, simply connect your computer to the adapter using an Ethernet cable.
Then you will need to open your browser on your computer and type in the address of the Powerline device found in the instruction manual.
Typically the address matches your Powerline + local name: powerline.local (for example, the address for D-Link brand adapters is dlinkap.local ).
Using the adapter’s control panel, you can run the wizard to install a new access point, configure the wireless network, and update the adapter’s firmware, similar to router control panels.
Once the adapter configuration is complete, you can easily browse the Internet with the devices connected to the child adapter , exactly as if you were connected directly to the router (which instead could easily be on the other side of the house).
Also know that you can also use multiple secondary Powerline adapters all connected to the same system (and which get the signal from the same “mother”).
The adapters must be connected to sockets that are part of the same system.
ADVICE: for maximum performance connect the Powerline adapters directly to the wall socket (and not filtered by uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), “power strips” etc).
If you do not have free sockets, you will also find Powerline adapters equipped with a pass-through socket (called passthrough) , which have an integrated power socket and thus allow you to power other devices through the integrated socket.
The theoretical speeds that can be reached on average by Powerline devices on the market today range from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps , so you will not have problems even in the case of online activities that require a high connection speed, such as streaming HD movies or online gaming. .
Powerline adapters are also safe from prying access: often you just need to press a button to protect the newly created network from unauthorized access via encryption.
