Ethernet vs WiFi

Hi
Looking for some advice. Want to set up a 2nd and 3rd PC within the house but don't want WiFi due to potential health risks esp as have young kids. Been advised I can get an Ethernet router (which i'll then need to wire round the house into bedrooms etc), and have purchased a Belkin Wireless G+ MIMO Router (which has ability to switch off wifi function). However also recently been made aware of the Phonex NeverWire 14 Powerline Ethernet Bridge (which offers a non-wiring option). Can anyone offer any advice or experience of running either of these two set ups so I can make some headway as I'm no IT expert! Thanks in advance. Dan

The Powerline ethernet solution is by far the easiest.. There are a number of brands on the market, just search here in the forums for opinions..

The Phonex NeverWire 14 Powerline Ethernet Bridge units you mention are typically referred to as home plugs on this forum. I use devolo and am happy with them, others use solwise. A wired link is simpler and even more reliable.

be aware that powerline ethernet involves transmission of RF into your mains wiring which will then pervade the whole house as the mains wiring is not transmission grade or shielded.

Thanks but is there an issue with RF (assume you mean radio frequency) going through the house wiring. Is this safe from a security - fire and external info leakage points of view

OK thanks.
Do you have any issues with speed of transfer or download, strength of signal, information security and also any issues with security re the house wiring, using them?

you seemed anxious to avoid RF issues by avoiding wi-fi. Connecting the mains in your house to an RF transmitter may contradict your original objective.

I see no fire issue, other than the relevant devices overheating if badly designed, and if you use encryption it would be fairly difficult to intercept the signal - most of which is blocked off by the electricity meter (or at least the old clockwork type).

Interesting.

At what power levels compared with WiFi ?

Or, even with a mobile phone mast 400 yards away?

Some of them do not like being used through surge protectors.

And the one in my shed at the bottom of a 60 yard garden does not operate at full speed (but it does work)

you would have to measure it to find out and they are probably all equally harmless

There are plenty of good reasons to use homeplugs other than bogus health concerns.

Edit : - Total power out of the homeplug device
is in the 30 milliwatt region, most of the power being spread across 4-
20 MHz.

Edited by yarwell (Fri 02-Nov-07 16:17:40)

It all adds up when you also have TV senders ....
.... and remote control senders
.... .... for PVR digiboxes
.... .... and for light dimmers
.... and everyone in the house has at least one mobile phone
.... and the odd Xbox360

And heaven knows what the neighbour has. (he has something 'cos it messes up my PVR receiver )


Edit: Sorry - forgot to mention the four Devolo units

Edited by Sandgrounder (Fri 02-Nov-07 16:27:53)

If you are worried by wireless networking, then you should also be worried about mains networking. Most of us aren't.

aren't the remotes sending infra red light rather than RF ?

Usually the plugs are rated higher than ADSL (certainly in my case) so the ADSL link is the speed limiter (apart from when you use them to transfer data within your local network).

They degrade in speed over distance/noise. Not an issue in my house.

All the plugs I'm aware of allow you to add encryption.

The signal is meant to be effectively terminated at the main meter (by attenuation). I have not gone to the trouble of asking to plug in next door to check.

See http://www.devolo.co.uk/uk_EN/button/dlanfaq.html

But ... infra red light is still Electro Magnetic !!!RADIATION!!!

Tinfoil hats would still be required.

Ian.

IR is in a completely different part of the EM Spectrum.

Most, Yes.

But one is sending RF so I can use it in another room (needs a receiver in the room with the PVR)