Is powerline access right for you?

A powerline device is a simple and secure option for getting network/internet access.  If you are having trouble getting a wireless signal, or are unable or unwilling to run cables, powerline devices may be the answer.  Powerline devices can be simple to set up and use.  They provide encryption, various built-in security features, and can connect up to 64 access points.  Now, you can connect your computers, game consoles, HDTVs and printers with no extra cabling or worries of wireless dead zones.

Powerline devices plug directly into your power outlets.  Once they are setup, they provide network/internet access to your home or business network.  They use your existing power lines instead of network cabling.  Powerline devices only work within the same circuit of your building.  You cannot plug in one powerline device to your outlet and another powerline device to your neighbor’s outlet and expect it to work; the electricity runs on different power circuits coming into the building.  This will prevent anyone on the outside from accessing your network.

Since these devices work with the existing electrical wiring, any problems with the wiring or any kind of interference will cause them not to work properly.  They also need to be directly plugged into a power outlet to work properly.  They cannot be plugged into a surge protector or UPS.  If they are not plugged in directly to a power outlet, they may not work or you could notice a considerable performance drop.  Finally, in order to communicate with each other, powerline devices need to be set up on the same circuit.

The average powerline device costs between $40 and $200.  The price varies depending on the speed of the device and its features, including if it supports wireless or not, the distance the signal can travel, and the number of supported devices.  Powerline devices are generally sold in kits including 1 hub that connects to your router and sends the signal through the circuit, and 1 access point that will receive the signal on the other end.  Additional access points can be purchased separately to cover more than one area, if needed.  The access points will either use a hard wired (Ethernet) connection to your device(s) or create a new wireless network for each access point you add.

Powerline devices are a quick and inexpensive way for anyone who wants to connect their devices and/or extend their existing home network.

Please contact us or come into our store to speak to a technician about what device may be right for you.