I'm considering Infinity too, and have a similar setup in my house. Master socket is in the hall downstairs next to the main door. And my 'office' is on the first floor where I want everything to be.

I read somewhere (either here or BT's own forum) that on the installation day, the BT engineer could make a slave socket into a master socket? Or can install an 'extension' of up to 30 metres?

Is this not an option? Wouldn't it be possible to get them to send someone out again to change your master socket? Guess it will be chargeable though.

No, they can't make a slave/extension socket into a master socket, since the cabling to extensions isn't of sufficient quality to carry the signal.

And, as I said, the engineer on the day said it would be too messy to install the Data Extension Kit with the strange layout, although I think this was partly due to the fact that he just couldn't be bothered.

since the cabling to extensions isn't of sufficient quality to carry the signal.

if you already have extension sockets, what route does the wiring for them take?

No, they can't make a slave/extension socket into a master socket, since the cabling to extensions isn't of sufficient quality to carry the signal.

Unless you mean in your specific case, your extension wiring, won't be up to quality, then you are incorrect. The HWS (Home Wiring Solution) ordered by by some CP's allows for just this to be done.

In my case, the extension wiring definitely wouldn't have been up scratch.

Good news though - bought a couple of Devolos, connected the modem to the one downstairs and the Home Hub to the upstairs one, and it worked like a dream, with no configuration whatsoever required. Absolutely negligible drop in speed as well.

Yes, there are undoubtedly neater and cheaper ways, but this was quick and avoided me having to use my non- existent DIY skills. Thanks everyone for the advice.

In reply to a post by DarrenNI:

Hi all,

I got Infinity installed a month or so ago and am extremely happy with it. The only problem is that the engineer arrived when I was out and my wife was at home (doh!).

My master socket is in the hall, and the engineer informed me over the phone that it would be too difficult (or messy) to run the cable up to my study, so I'm now stuck with the modem, the HomeHub 3 and my NAS all in the hall (plus a SamKnows unit which I haven't connected yet, since I don't want it stuck in the hall as well!).

My question is, can I connect a Powerline networking plug to the modem in the hall, and connect the HomeHub to another in the study to get everything out of the hall except for the modem? Will this work, or does the HomeHub have to stay directly connected to the modem? Or is there any easier/cheaper way of doing this? (note: I don't want to start trying to drag a pile of CAT-5 up through my walls)

Thanks!

Is this standard practice by BT when installing infinity?

It depends what type of cable is used really. The last time I had a lightning strike which caused a line fault, I got the BT engineer to move the location of my master socket for me, as I cabled it in CAT6 he was quite happy to do so.

Yep, in my experience Devolo are the 'kipper's titties' of powerline adaptors.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Yep, in my experience Devolo are the 'kipper's titties' of powerline adaptors.

Earlier I suggested to the OP he might be able to conenct a Homeplug direct to the VDSL2 socket, then the modem upstairs where he has the hub.

Is that feasible, or nonsense? I was working on the premise that the output from the socket is ethernet.

connect a Homeplug direct to the VDSL2 socket, then the modem upstairs where he has the hub.

Pass, I'd have thought using them between the modem and the router if anything, is this not what the OP has tried ?

Seen many use them after the router, and my only advice there is, you get what you pay for, and always use them direct into the socket, not on an extension lead/adaptor.