Quick question for the techies on here.

I want to connect 3 devices in my bedroom (TV / DVR / Android TV box) which require a wired ethernet connection to a single powerline adapter. The router with the other powerline adapter is at the total opposite end of the house in the kitchen, so want to keep a wired connection.

Can I just connect a 3 way ethernet switch in the bedroom to the powerline adapter? Will it switch automatically (only use one device at a time).

Any recommendations?

Just run an Ethernet cable to location of the TV/DVR etc then connect into a hub with enough sockets. Short Ethernet cables to required devices. No requirement for switching as you're only using device at a time.

Just run an Ethernet cable to location of the TV/DVR etc then connect into a hub with enough sockets. Short Ethernet cables to required devices. No requirement for switching as you're only using device at a time.

Don't want to run a cable from one corner of the house to the opposite end on another floor. The powerline adapter works flawlessly as it is now (single device plugged in), just want to add more devices via a switch. Will it still work?

Sorry, I somehow thought they were located elsewhere in the room.

Yes, it will still work. Use the shortest cables you can to avoid wiring clutter. The hub will need a power source too.

Sorry, I somehow thought they were located elsewhere in the room.

Yes, it will still work. Use the shortest cables you can to avoid wiring clutter. The hub will need a power source too.

Is a hub the same as a switch? Any recommendations? :)

As I think CWARD is suggesting, simply use an unmanaged ethernet switch like this http://www.ebuyer.com/259797-tp-link-tl-sf1005d-5-port-10-100mbps-unmanaged-desktop-switch-tl-sf1005d

 

Having checked that's exactly the one I'm using in my little office - powerline is connected to the BT hub in the living room and I've got 4 devices in the office connected to one of these that's then wired into the office powerline

Is a hub the same as a switch? Any recommendations? :)

 

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/router_switch_hub.asp

 

For your purposes all you need is a hub; I suspect the one I linked to is actually only a hub even though it's called a switch

When I say hub I mean unmanaged switch. If it's only for internet connection you don't need gigabit speed but if you're have a network drive in the equation then the extra expense is worth it. Buy a good name such as Netgear, TPLink or Linksys and once connected you can forget about it. The connection is as simple as plugging in the cables and power supply and all is done. Very few have an input port like a modem hub so you can't go wrong.

Edited 2 January, 20179 yr by CWARD

Or simply use an old ADSL router (remembering to turn off DHCP & wifi), as most have 4 port switches built in.

for what you are doing any 4/5 port switch will do. most these days are 5 port one you use connected to your powerline adapter the other 4 then connect to your equipment. I suspect the sales are on so drop into PCWorld/Curries and you should get one with no problem.

 

John

a switch will work but what might be easier is to get a powerline adapter with 3 connections. I've got several of them around the house.

 

These are expensive, but you get the idea - 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/PowerLAN-Adapters/TP-LINK-TL-PA4030KIT-500Mbps-Powerline-Adapter/B00FEDTWL6

 

You'll get something cheaper if you hunt around

Finally gone with the TPLINK 5 port switch as recommended by Cward & Gyp :)

Hopefully should do the trick

a switch will work but what might be easier is to get a powerline adapter with 3 connections. I've got several of them around the house.

These are expensive, but you get the idea -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/PowerLAN-Adapters/TP-LINK-TL-PA4030KIT-500Mbps-Powerline-Adapter/B00FEDTWL6

You'll get something cheaper if you hunt around

Did look at those but I would still need a switch at the router end as I Don't hqve a spare ethernet port.

Did look at those but I would still need a switch at the router end as I Don't hqve a spare ethernet port.

 

Err... I'm confused.

 

Or one of us is.

 

At the router end, you still have the one ethernet cable going to the one powerline adaptor on the wall (as I'm guessing you have now)

 

At the bedroom end you'd have 3 ethernet cables coming from the "new" powerline adapter (one to each device), rather than one cable coming from your exiting powerline to your new switch and then the 3 ethernet cables going from there to the devices.

 

No matter; what you've bought should work no problem

Err... I'm confused.

Or one of us is.

At the router end, you still have the one ethernet cable going to the one powerline adaptor on the wall (as I'm guessing you have now)

At the bedroom end you'd have 3 ethernet cables coming from the "new" powerline adapter (one to each device), rather than one cable coming from your exiting powerline to your new switch and then the 3 ethernet cables going from there to the devices.

No matter; what you've bought should work no problem

Probably me who's confused :D

I assumed that because these pair of powerlines have 3 ports at each end, it works by having 3 cables into router and 3 out at other end to your devices.

Are you saying at the router end only 1 goes into the router from the powerline. Are the other 2 then free to connect more devices. So in total 5 devices - 3 devices at other end and 2 at router?

Edited 2 January, 20179 yr by 999pooch

Are you saying at the router end only 1 goes into the router from the powerline. Are the other 2 then free to connect more devices. So in total 5 devices - 3 devices at other end and 2 at router?

 

That's precisely it,

 

So with your current setup you might (subject to which ones you've currently got) need only buy one and could use it to replace the single outlet in the bedroom - and that would leave you with the existing one free to use elsewhere at the same time (as you are creating a network where everything can be on at once, not just extending a single ethernet connection).

 

However, the solution you have gone for is the cheapest and simplest to integrate into an existing solution.

 

To give you some idea of expansion options, in my house I have one of the ethernet connections on the main router going into a powerline on the wall, then 6 more powerline plugs elsewhere in the house

 

3 each with 1 port going to dedicated IP CCTV cameras

1 in the main bedroom with 2 ports, one connected to a Roku streaming box and another to a TPLink wireless router (to give a wifi point in the bedroom)

1 in the lad's bedroom with 2 ports, one connected to his PC and another to his network printer

1 in the office with 1 port, but connected to a 5-port desktop switch that then connects to 2 PCs, a NAS and another TPLink wireless router (to give a wifi point in the office and through the floor into the kitchen below)

 

A quick check shows that I've currently got 35 devices connected to my home network...

 

At my father's place it's a lot simpler, but with 5 CCTV cameras over powerline and 2 further powerline wifi points

 

All humming away nicely :-)

That's precisely it,

So with your current setup you might (subject to which ones you've currently got) need only buy one and could use it to replace the single outlet in the bedroom - and that would leave you with the existing one free to use elsewhere at the same time (as you are creating a network where everything can be on at once, not just extending a single ethernet connection).

However, the solution you have gone for is the cheapest and simplest to integrate into an existing solution.

To give you some idea of expansion options, in my house I have one of the ethernet connections on the main router going into a powerline on the wall, then 6 more powerline plugs elsewhere in the house

3 each with 1 port going to dedicated IP CCTV cameras

1 in the main bedroom with 2 ports, one connected to a Roku streaming box and another to a TPLink wireless router (to give a wifi point in the bedroom)

1 in the lad's bedroom with 2 ports, one connected to his PC and another to his network printer

1 in the office with 1 port, but connected to a 5-port desktop switch that then connects to 2 PCs, a NAS and another TPLink wireless router (to give a wifi point in the office and through the floor into the kitchen below)

A quick check shows that I've currently got 35 devices connected to my home network...

At my father's place it's a lot simpler, but with 5 CCTV cameras over powerline and 2 further powerline wifi points

All humming away nicely :-)

That's great, thanks for the advice :)

As you say, the route I've gone wil work & is the cheaper option. However you have given me food for thought for expanding my network in other areas. Got a few CCTV cameras that need moving to other places, so the multi port powerlines will come in very handy :)

If your cameras are mounted in the eves then just run an Ethernet cable into the loft and run a hub from there for the cameras to feed into. If you are short on ports on the back of you router you can use a hub to expand it to feed more devices. Just think of a hub like an electrical extension lead where you can split the supply further.  The image below explains it well just substitute router for hub

 

A bit late but Edimax do ethernet switches that can be usb powered, handy if you don't want to have extra psu around. I've two an 8 and a 5 port powered by server and network appliance.

Edited 12 January, 20179 yr by io1901