Netcomm NP295 Wireless/Ethernet over Power

Serley · 23rd November 2007, 4:38 PM

I have a study on the first floor of our townhouse with a Billion 7401 wireless router connected via ethernet to a desktop and want to also access the internet from a laptop on the ground floor. Having trouble getting adequate wireless signal there due to the thick concrete walls and floor. Have added a 7db aerial and built a parabolic antenna and positioned the aerial as optimally as I can but these have given limited improvement. There are a number of ethernet cables going to the basement but due to some unexplained faults and way it has been cabled I seem to be stuck with the incoming internet connection going to the study.
Best solution seems the NP295 Wireless/Ethernet over power combo, connecting the router via an NP285 to the power cabling with an NP290 wireless unit on the ground floor (or elsewhere).
- Any experience with this system and comments – eg some ethernet over power systems have been found to have heating problems?
- Will there be contention/confusion between the two wireless signals (although this should be easy to negate)?
- Anyone used a similar system from another supplier?
- Any better ideas?

More info at: www.netcomm.com.au/EOP/NP295.php

fR33z3 · 27th November 2007, 12:17 AM

eop is gaining some maturity. Products are available from Netcomm, Netgear, and now Dlink too.

1st Gen eop had heat problems - eg the NP210. These were all limited to about 10Mb/s at best.

2nd Gen was 85Mb/s, and 3rd Gen claims 200 Mb/s.

Generally, UTP > EOP > Wireless

I'm surprised that within a townhouse you are not getting a stable signal. Chances are you have neighbours all with their own wireless signals busy destroying yours. Ditch the wireless all together if you can. Otherwise, scan the air, and see if you can select an unused channel or the lowest powered channel, preferably one of ch1, 6 or 11, and configure your access point with this channel.

Serley · 28th November 2007, 2:31 PM

Thanks for the comments. The first floor has to be a big issue as is thick concrete and the signal is coming through it at quite an angle. Have positioned the aerial as close to the stair well as I can but even that didn't make much difference. Signals from direct neighbors not a problem at the moment as both sides vacant and some distance to other buildings. Only one identified signal picked up and suspect there wouldn't be many others. Changed to ch6 and boosted power but no difference (your post indicates lower power better - will try that). Thing that does surprise me is that the laptop's reported signal strength can vary quite considerably over a fairly short period for no apparent reason

23rd November 2007, 4:38 PM	#1
Serley Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 262	Netcomm NP295 Wireless/Ethernet over Power I have a study on the first floor of our townhouse with a Billion 7401 wireless router connected via ethernet to a desktop and want to also access the internet from a laptop on the ground floor. Having trouble getting adequate wireless signal there due to the thick concrete walls and floor. Have added a 7db aerial and built a parabolic antenna and positioned the aerial as optimally as I can but these have given limited improvement. There are a number of ethernet cables going to the basement but due to some unexplained faults and way it has been cabled I seem to be stuck with the incoming internet connection going to the study. Best solution seems the NP295 Wireless/Ethernet over power combo, connecting the router via an NP285 to the power cabling with an NP290 wireless unit on the ground floor (or elsewhere). - Any experience with this system and comments – eg some ethernet over power systems have been found to have heating problems? - Will there be contention/confusion between the two wireless signals (although this should be easy to negate)? - Anyone used a similar system from another supplier? - Any better ideas? More info at: www.netcomm.com.au/EOP/NP295.php

27th November 2007, 12:17 AM	#2
fR33z3 Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Perth Posts: 2,092	eop is gaining some maturity. Products are available from Netcomm, Netgear, and now Dlink too. 1st Gen eop had heat problems - eg the NP210. These were all limited to about 10Mb/s at best. 2nd Gen was 85Mb/s, and 3rd Gen claims 200 Mb/s. Generally, UTP > EOP > Wireless I'm surprised that within a townhouse you are not getting a stable signal. Chances are you have neighbours all with their own wireless signals busy destroying yours. Ditch the wireless all together if you can. Otherwise, scan the air, and see if you can select an unused channel or the lowest powered channel, preferably one of ch1, 6 or 11, and configure your access point with this channel. __________________ I need a Wiimote. Broken is ok!

28th November 2007, 2:31 PM	#3
Serley Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 262	Thanks for the comments. The first floor has to be a big issue as is thick concrete and the signal is coming through it at quite an angle. Have positioned the aerial as close to the stair well as I can but even that didn't make much difference. Signals from direct neighbors not a problem at the moment as both sides vacant and some distance to other buildings. Only one identified signal picked up and suspect there wouldn't be many others. Changed to ch6 and boosted power but no difference (your post indicates lower power better - will try that). Thing that does surprise me is that the laptop's reported signal strength can vary quite considerably over a fairly short period for no apparent reason