THE AMAZON PRODUCT
Here it is the high end of CPL (great brand, the highest speed available). Price is accordingly without being unapproachable.
It will be possible to complete the installation later by one or more additional adapters to another room for example (~ 80 euros - Devolo 9230).
Adapters are impressive and aesthetic. On the outlet there are two holes for allowing the earth to guide the adapter to 180 °, which is very convenient.
The BOX CONTENT:
- Two adapters (1connecteur with a network (for example be connected to the box, with a second network connector 3 pc fixed for example, TV decoder, network drive)
- 2 straight cables "RJ45")
- A mini leaflet.
OPERATION
Very simple to conditions not make the mistake I made initially ...
Namely plug fit into a power strip that feeds my PC, the box, the printer a camera, external hard drives so on.
We must connect the adapter directly into the wall outlet and the power strip to the EXT socket of the adapter.
Then connect the RJ45 cables to devices (PC, STB, drive etc ...)
Then press the push button momentarily in each adapter (after pressing one of the three LEDs flashing at high speed) pairing (connection) between the adapters takes a few tens of seconds.
Unlike WiFi no security key to grasp and nothing to install on the connected devices (driver).
If everything is OK the 3 LEDs on each adapter will be switched to the fixed. It's very simple when you did it already. For the first time against the instructions of the box is too minimalist. No text, just some pretty blurred images. No information on the meaning of the lights etc ..
Fortunately the website of DEVOLO is very well done and compensates the shortcomings of the record.
PERFORMANCE
The speed is very good but significantly less than the theoretical maximum advertised speed (600 Mbit / s max) and varies with the distance between the two adapters and configuration of the electrical installation.
I tested locations:
Between the bedroom and living the speed indicated by Cokpit (see next paragraph) is:
- Room / kitchen (2 adjoining rooms) 425 Mbit / s ,,
- Living Room 325 Mbits / s,
- Bedroom cottage at ground floor (~ 35m 253 Mbit / s).
I also connected the two adapters on each other (this is not a sense- but can test the speed in the absence of weakening sector) the measured speed is 540 Mb / s is approached of the advertised maximum speed.
The speed is sufficient to not cause slowdown (for the record the theoretical maximum speed WIFI n is 300 Mbit / s in practice 100 to 200)
DEVOLO WEBSITE
([...] Individuals -> The dLAN fastest - 600 Mbit / s)
The site is bright, very accessible, comprehensive .We found easily
- Documentation
- Downloads (full manual, the Cockpit software ...)
- Information for sales support, technical support, contacts (email, phone, postal address ....).
Testing the DEVOLO support:
Out of curiosity I called the sales support:
Quick response.
My interlocutor speaks French perfectly. I ask him what is the guarantee, stating that the purchase was made online, without hesitation confirms me the length of warranty (3 years) and the type of procedure: send an email to support ( address on the website) stating the problem and whether the problem is within the scope of warranty, support a good return back.
I did not go further, but this is a very good omen.
THE DOWNLOADS
Although not required to use the two products are very interesting:
1- The manual that unlike him to the mini notice of the box is clear, complete, simple and provides all the necessary information for proper use of the product (meaning seers, commissioning, connections)
2- Cokpit supervision software (see next paragraph).
THE SOFTWARE COKPIT
It is a lightweight software that download and installation are quick. I tested on Windows XP 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8.1 no problem.
This software is also available once is not equally customary for MAC and LINUX.
It is a network monitoring software PC. It allows to do interesting things including:
- Update the software adapters (to launch the program if a new version of the adapter software is available, it offers the update This is what happened to me, and quickly went well without. move the adapters),
- Ability to change the password in case you would ultraconfidentielles data
- Supervision: a schematic of the network is presented. Can be mentioned adapters (box, living room, kids room ..)
- Possibly can remotely disable an adapter (eg parental control for teens who abuse too with online games)
- See the baud rate: it is very useful in case of problems to test different connections.
SOME RECIPES TROUBLESHOOTING
- Unplug / plug adapters,
- Reset the adapters or via the software or by Cokpit very long press the pairing button on each adapter,
- Disconnect and reconnect the RJ45 cables (make sure they are properly seated)
- - Stop and restart the connected devices.
CONCLUSION
- This is a high standard. Performances are at the rendezvous. The price is higher than the input range .. It is easy to install (but beware the Strip anyway ...)
- Complementary services are a nice touch (website, media, 3 year warranty, update, complete manual ..).
