Anyone used Powerline adapters?

[Thomphoolery]

This, for example.

My home office is pretty isolated from the rest of the house - right now, I'm using only wireless connections via laptops, but I have some servers coming and I'd like to avoid getting wireless cards for all of them.

The Powerline approach seems like the best solution, but the technology looks a bit iffy to me. Reviews are mixed, though largely (70%+) positive on all models that I've looked at.

My question is: Anyone used a Powerline adapter? The room with my current router and my office are on separate 20 amp circuit breakers - which I've read can degrade the network speed by up to 1/2. Even still, if it beats 802.11n (or even 802.11g), I'd be happy.

-j

[Omegaman]

For a few years, I was contracted to do internet installs for many Quality Inns and other Choice Hotels.  All Choice hotels had to provide internet access by I think it was July 1st, 2007 to its guests, so there were tons of hotel franchises that waited until the last minute to comply with the rules.  I decided instead of running miles of Cat5 and since the guest data Choice sent me suggested the majority of guests used wireless internet, I felt installing WiFi as well as a similar powerline solution was best. Installation was fairly easy, though I had to hire an electrician to ensure the installation in the main power switches/panels were to code.  Guests would "check-out" a powerline adapter along with a 6 ft. Cat5 cable for the length of their stay, and return them when they checked out (if they didn't have the hardware to go connect WiFi or wanted something higher speed).

Thom, I personally haven't used the Netgear brand, so I can't speak to their hardware.  The brand of adapters I used to install were bought out by another company, so I don't know who has them or if they are still manufacturing them. All I can vouch for the technology (which is awesome) and never had any issues with it.  Of course, it was much faster than the 802.11a/b at the time.  The last year I was installing them, I used them to raid WoW in the hotel rooms I stayed in while on site doing the installations.

[Falaenx]

I use these for my connection.  I don't have any issues with it but I would also take into account the wiring between units.  I think you said your house was 100 years old or something so the quality of the signal may deplete.

They are really damn handy for supplying a net connection when you don't want to run wire between rooms.

[Thomphoolery]

I use these for my connection.  I don't have any issues with it but I would also take into account the wiring between units.  I think you said your house was 100 years old or something so the quality of the signal may deplete.

We had the wiring re-done, so it's brand new. These sound like a solid option, then - thanks for the advice, Omega and Fal.

-j