Solid HomePlug AV2 reaction with complicated device

Scope of supply:
If you already have a Powerline network can expand this with a TL-PA411. The adapter HomePlug AV2 dominated (also known as AV500) and has a 100 Mbit / s LAN port. In addition, a short LAN cable, a leaflet and a mini-CD included in the package.

The technique:
Powerline, or when this unit "HomePlug AV2" as the experts say, is an excellent technique to a network connection for further from the router / switch establish remote computer, or to expand the wireless network. Especially with wireless repeaters I had a negative experience because these halve the bandwidth and mostly send even on the same channel as the base, which performs frequency overlap interference. If you want to expand its wireless or simply build a network bridge, PowerLine is an optimal way. The "500Mbps" Powerline adapter from TP-Link use all the "HomePlug AV2" protocol and are to each other and to the older "200Mbps" with "HomePlug AV" protocol compatible. So you can simply purchase additional adapter to the desired functions to or expand with these adapters an existing powerline network.

Security:
One right away: Simply press the pairing buttons probably not enough. The connection is then made and indeed even encrypted but, at least in the test with me, just using the default key "HomePlug AV". The best AES 128-bit encryption helps but unfortunately not when everyone knows the key! Even the story of the protective power meter is not true, I use Power Line also has two electricity meters away easily. Like the WLAN you should necessarily protect the PowerLine network! This is by changing the network name, which is different from the wireless secret key. This change comes after the connection between all the adapters on a tool from TP-Link. For details, see "Installation and Setup" section below.

Performance and quality:
HomePlug AV2 achieved theoretically up to 500 Mbit / s gross, which are laboratory values ​​such as the WLAN, of course. In practice, however, the net data throughput of these Powerline devices is better than that of WiFi with alleged 600 Mbit / s gross after a solid wall. As a bottleneck in siesem Powerline adapter from TP-Link is unfortunately proving the 100 Mbit / s LAN connection of the device. On the other hand, the Powerline transmission rates are net, that is, the actual data throughput without the protocol overhead, in practice over several rooms anyway at a maximum of about 120 Mbit / s net, so that the charge to other devices such as the TL-PA511 with Gigabit port located in the Practice usually not worthwhile.

The Powerline:
However, the data transfer via the power line also has its pitfalls. Other power supplies and devices sometimes cause strong interference, but you can usually get around. Partially a socket is already further reproduced an optimal connection. On the TP-Link website is available in the download section a software called "Powerline Utility". So you can easily check the signal quality and throughput of each device in the network and optimize playing to try each other outlets. I'm using Powerline in a 3-storey family house. In the same room I reach about 400 Mbit / s gross indicated (about 90 Mbit / s net measured creates the variant with Gigabit even about 125 Mbit / s net), just in the next room. One floor down there are about 200 Mbit / s gross display (60 Mbit / s net measured) and 40 meters from garden shed about 70 Mbit / s gross in the display (25 MBit / s measured). For comparison: WLAN is there already out of reach! These are perfectly respectable values, I think.

Installation and Setup:
As already explained it is not sufficient simply to press the pairing buttons, because every foreigner then can eavesdrop and decrypt the data traffic. Unfortunately, the manual of TP-Link sometimes is mistaken and almost incomprehensible in any case, but I draw from a star in the rating. For a secure facility here a step by step guide.

Establishment with the tool "Powerline Utility"
1. The "MAC Address" and "Password" write on a piece of paper from the nameplate of all adapters.
2. Connect all the adapter into your outlet and note that where is. The first adapter then connect with the supplied LAN cable to the router / switch.
3. "Download" button on the website of TP-Link under "Support", then left click on "Power Line". Now select the "500Mbps Powerline" the device, download and install the software.
4. In the program of the first adapter should (which is connected to the switch / router or is now connected via the Ethernet network to the computer) under "status appear. To acknowledge his" MAC address ", which we had listed ,
5. Under the menu item "Network, we may see even more adapters. With the button" Add "at the bottom right All other adapters are brought into the network. As a" Device Name "can be something easy to remember like" Garden House "can be selected. In "Password" must be now entered the password of the adapter, to we have our list) The "Password must be added even if the devices are found automatically. This step must now be done on all adapters and controlled that it appears in the list, is Connected and the password was entered before. When connected, the values ​​for "rate", which is an indicator of the link quality appear. If the connection is bad, just try a different outlet and control.
6. Are all adapters on the network, select the top menu item "System". Enter a good key for encryption At the bottom under "Set All Devices Network Name" and right click on "Set All Devices".

So that's it! The units are installed, the signal quality is checked, an individual key is the encryption meaning. Although the adapter are disconnected from the power and plugged in at another location, they do not lose their settings. So have fun with Powerline!

Conclusion:
The units are as TP-Link usual very cheap and the function is good / solid. For this, the device is complicated, a guide in English as a PDF download available as well as the software is continuously to operate in English. Anyone expecting the described, quite complicated, device problems, should better take up this very expensive FRITZ! Products from AVM. They are 'for mommy' easy to use, as I have recently tested. Who does not expect any problems with the device, receives the TP-Link Powerline good technique for a very reasonable price. The TL-PA511 with respect to the lack of Gigabit connection does not lead in practice in most cases to a noticeable drawback. Therefore, I forgive four star.

Like to take any questions or suggestions to my review in the comments :)