Philip wrote:
> I know this is not strictly wireless, but powerline adapters are
> alternatives to wireless for home networking.
>
> I am buying an older large house. I am pretty sure that my single
> WRT54G will not cover this space reliably. Further, the house is not
> cat5 wired and I really do not want to do that. Buying range
> extenders seemed like a hit or miss affair and expensive from what I
> have read.
> So I was thinking of using powerline adapters to network the house and
> adding access points in selected large spaces, such as the family
> room, upstairs or garage.
>
> The question is whether this is a sound plan or not. I have had no
> experience with powerline adapters. Googling around also seems to
> yield limited strong recommendations. There appears to be a "some
> better than others" flavor of postings and a "make sure the store has
> a good return policy" flavor.
>
> Surveying the crop of solutions at Fry's seems to yield these front
> runners base on price, performance and extendability.
>
> Panasonic HD-PLC
> Netgear HDX101
>
> Any comments on this would be very much appreciated.

The netgears work great (the faster ones 102/103/104,
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...tAdapters.aspx
85 mbps not the way slow 101's, however a bit more per pair $135-$160),
brick house, and internal cement block walls to support the sunken floors
upstairs, blocks the signal inside, about $20 more for a pair of the faster
ones (read the cnet review and there are purchase links at the end
http://reviews.cnet.com/Netgear_Powe...-31970278.html )
, have one linksys wrt54g on the cable modem, the router output part plugged
to the bridge, and then a second linksys wrt54g upstairs in the dining area
with the 2nd unit plugged ijnto the router part (don't use the wan input on
the second), same ssid but a different channel, lets me roam with the
laptops... For some strange reason however, my PDA doesn't work on the
second one, but will on the first (notebooks work fine)..

Just to be fair/full disclosure, I love it, at home in MD just ran electric
to a gazebo in the back yard and have another WAP in their (and a hammock so
I can relax while surfing), and did the same at my vacation place in
northern ID (underground power from the house to the garage about 500 ft
from the house for the welder, both with steel snow roofs, 2nd wap in the
garage)... Know you don't know me, but two enthusistic thumbs up - try em,
you'll like em!