Introduction

Powerline networking and WiFi are two proven technologies for establishing a broadband network in the home or office environment without the expense and trouble to retrofit Ethernet cabling in the walls.

Powerline networking extends your LAN to any room in the house through the existing wiring, providing a reliable broadband connection from any electrical receptacle. WiFi on the other hand provides the advantage of connecting to the network without any cables, enabling "untethered" access for laptop PCs, iPhones, and other mobile devices.

Powerline is an excellent choice for connecting "immobile" devices to the network - that is, devices that stay in the same location of the home or office and that do not get moved about. Examples include IPTVs, game consoles such as Xbox360, printers, servers, or desktop PCs.

In contrast, when mobility is an important criterion for a networked device, then WiFi offers a compelling solution, although frequently a less reliable one. Compared to powerline networking, WiFi can experience less reliable connectivity because of limited range and interference to the WiFi radio-frequency signal.

However, by combining powerline networking with WiFi, a user can often improve WiFi reliability. Using Plaster Networks powerline adapters provides an easy, convenient way to install a WiFi transmitter (or access point) at any electrical receptacle in the home or office to extend the WiFi coverage and to provide optimum reception.

In a typical configuration, a user may have a WiFi router located next to the DSL or cable modem. The router provides wireless access to the home network from most of the rooms in the house. However, some of the rooms may be too far away to receive an adequate WiFi signal. In this case, the user can install a powerline network that connects a WiFi access point in another part of the home, providing enhanced WiFi coverage across the entire house. 

Instructions

Extending WiFi Coverage to Additional Rooms

Extending your WiFi network using Plaster Networks adapters is very simple:

1. Plug a PLN3 or AV200 adapter into an AC wall socket and then connect an Ethernet cable from the adapter to an available LAN port on the router, as illustrated below.

Connecting Powerline to WiFi AP/Router 

2. Next, plug in a second powerline adapter in the room where you would like to install the WiFi access point. Connect the adapter to the access point using the Ethernet cable included with the PLN3/AV200 unit (or any standard Ethernet cable). 

 

3. Some important points to note:

• Commonly, many WiFi access points can function as routers so when using such a WiFi/router make certain that the device is in DHCP client mode and that the Ethernet cable from the PLN3 is connected to a LAN port on the WiFi/router. Please refer to the user manual of your WiFi/router for instructions on setting up and configuring your WiFi device.

• Some WiFi access points support an "extension" or "bridging" mode. Please disable this feature when connecting more than 1 Wi-Fi access point to your powerline network. Otherwise, the WiFi access points can form a bridging loop that can seriously impeded your network's performance. Please refer to your router’s documentation for more information on setting up and configuring your WiFi device.

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Plaster Networks, LLC
935 Hamilton Ave.
Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA
Phone: +1.650.329.9203
www.plasternetworks.com

Copyright (c) 2009, Plaster Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.