Homeplug problems / compatibility

Hi there

I currently have a home LAN that includes a number of Advent 85mbps Powerline ethernet plugs (about two or more years old).

One of the Advent plugs is connected to a 5-port 10/100mbps desktop switch. Two laptops are attached to the switch. In the last few days the internet supplied to the switch by the Advent plug has disconnected a number of times. The rest of the LAN has operated as normal.

The Advent plug has three green LED's on the front (Ethernet / power / powerline - top to bottom). During normal operation the Ethernet and powerline LED's flicker showing data traffic and the power LED remains lit.

The LED's have behavioured differently when the internet has disconnected. The power LED flashes on and off randomly.

I have re-set the plug, but this is only a temporary solution. I am considering replacing the Advent plug with a Devolo dLAN Highspeed Ethernet II 85Mbps Homeplug Adapter.

I would like to know if anyone else has experienced this problem with Advent Powerline plugs. I would also like to know if there will be any compatibility issues with adding a Devolo plug to a LAN that uses Advent plugs.

No idea on the Advent plugs, but any bit of electronics can go wrong.

With the plugs across-brand compatibility, tread carefully. There are several main "types"

14 Mbps
85 Mbps "turbo"
200 Mbps "AV"

(and more recently)

500 Mbps
1 Gbps

Very generally speaking, sticking to one "type" will work, but there are exceptions, and I have a feeling that Devolo are one of the odd ones out.

Hi shtu

Thank you for your reply.

I have checked and have noted that the Advent plugs are 85Mbps, Homeplug 1.0 compatible and compliant with IEEE 802.3/802.3u standards. No mention of 85Mbps 'Turbo'.

If I cannot use the Devolo plugs can you suggest any alternatives.

One other question - do the newer devices need a stand alone wall socket (my existing powerline plugs all have their own wall socket)?

Hmm.

I'd *guess* that the Advent ones are fairly generic ones, I use a mix of Solwise, Netgear, and Maplin-no-name ones at the same time with no problem.

Go for a.n.other 85Mbps ones and you'll probably be fine. If in doubt, buy from somewhere with a good returns policy. Unfortunately I can't tell you for sure that two bits of kit I've never used will work together with 100% certainty.

85Mbps = "Turbo". Some makers use that phrase, some don't.

I have seen some in the past that have a passthrough wall socket, the majority don't have this.

I'd suggest getting on eBay & Amazon and having a rummage.

Just a thought.

Could the two laptops connected to the Advent plug via the desktop switch cause the homeplug to stop working properly?

Pretty unlikely.

Try swapping the homeplugs around and see what happens.

Does the problem only happens if the laptops are working off the mains or if on battery power too?

The problem has occurred when the laptops are working off the mains.

So what about if they are working off the battery? Laptop mains supplies are notoriously bad for injecting interference into the mains supply.

I have not tried testing the Advent plug with the laptops working off the battery.

The one laptop has worked successfully running off the mains with the Advent plug for over two years.

The switch and second laptop has only been added to the Advent plug in the last month.