Jump to content

Ethernet over Powerline


errandwolfe
 Share

4 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

So I just picked up the Panasonic HD-PLC ethernet over powerline kit. For those of you not familiar with it, this device allows you to use your home electrical wiring to bridge two switches (or other ethernet device).

 

I have read quite a few reviews of this unit and all seem to be positive, indicating you will usually get about 70 mbps (supposedly capable of 190). Most of these reviews seem to be written from a Windows standpoint though. I have noticed services such as remote desktop I definitely have a large speed difference over 802.11G. When I try to do a file transfer between Macs it slows to a crawl.

 

Now, these devices have a test button that tells you the quality of the connection between the devices. Mine test as "Best". The speed in the other services seem to back this up. I am definitely pulling scans from my MFC much faster then it was over the wireless bridge. The only time it seems to slow to a crawl is when copying files Mac to Mac.

 

I thought it might be something with the way AFP operates so I switched to Samba for testing. It started out at a very nice transfer speed, but within a minute had reached that same slow down that AFP experienced from the beginning.

 

Has anyone else used these or similair devices? What was your expreiences?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, you could try tinkering with your MTU settings (advanced ethernet preferences pane). Try lowering it in steps of 8 (bits) and see if the speed improves. You can also try deactivating the "speed-sense" feature.

 

Cheers,

 

hecker

 

PS: Are the MACs accessing each other directly or through a router?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Basically I have two independent network segments. The primary segment starts at a DIR-615 wireless router. This then hooks into the cable modem and a 10/100 switch. Plugged into that switch is my desktop Mac, HP LaserJet 2600N, Tivo, and the power line bridge master.

 

Then the second segment begins at the power line bridge slave. This then plugs into another 10/100 switch. I then have my laptop, and multifunction center plugged into that switch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try sharing your files on the Mac using FTP and see how the speeds goes. It might prove interesting to see how that protocal fares, as compared to Appletalk/Samba.

 

 

Historically Appletalk/AFP are very noisy protocals and even on my Real macs using ethernet wires to a switch I get slow speeds and occasional hickups in transfers. FTP is how would you say point to point, not peer to peer. I'm not familiar with the mechanics behind it but I have always found FTP to be very stable and gets the best speeds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...