Optimal method to reach the ground floor is by taking the stairs or using the elevator.
Optimal method to reach the ground floor is by taking the stairs or using the elevator.
Hey everyone, just moved into a new place. My router is upstairs, while my sister and brother-in-law need Ethernet downstairs. My brother’s PC works fine with Wi-Fi but only 20 Mbps, which isn’t great. My sister needs it because her old rig still has a motherboard and GPU that can’t handle a Wi-Fi card. I was thinking about using a powerline adapter—plug one under my desk, run Ethernet to it, then connect the other downstairs. With a dual-port model, we could run two Ethernet cables to both PCs. This is where the discussion started. She’s worried about having two devices in the same room affecting the circuit, but I’m not sure if her systems can draw enough power to trip the breaker. Her machines are an i7-6700 and RX 570; mine is an i5-7600 and RX 580. She has two basic 1080p monitors, a Nintendo Switch, a printer, and some low-power gear. Is that a lot?
I’ve used several powerline adapters and noticed they often fail. They function fine one moment then suddenly stop working. For coaxial cables, MoCA 2.0 or 2.5 adapters can work around existing wiring. If you don’t have that setup, Netgear Orbis offers solid options with built-in Ethernet ports for the computer.
It doesn’t seem strong enough to cause a circuit overload, provided the rest of the system isn’t overly strained. I could recommend (if funds allow) setting up an AP on one of the Ethernet connections to extend WiFi coverage to the lower level.
It should be secure as long as other high-demand devices are on separate circuits, especially near the power limit. In reality, neither machine will draw all their energy at once for extended periods, so your sister and B-I-L should be okay. To ease her worries, change her power outlet to a different circuit than hers, but make sure it follows building standards with a professional engineer.
I understand. Under suitable conditions they may function, yet poor wiring and noisy components can lead to reduced performance and interruptions.
I plan to use adapters to connect their PCs directly, not rely on Wi-Fi. Are even the pricier ones still reliable? What about adding a second router upstairs? My main concern is that I use Comcast modems like the 2-1 combo, so I’m unsure if two of those would work. Would I need to purchase my own router and two modems, or vice versa? I’m not sure which role they’d play.
I faced numerous problems when first using poweline. This simple method resolved about 98% of the issues. Most powerline devices include built-in sleep modes for power savings; this script alerts the router every second, preventing the adapter from sleeping during your use. @OnionRings Powerline offers a straightforward approach to wired networking, though it isn’t flawless—@LunaP0n3 noted that various factors can impact link quality. The best way to confirm its effectiveness is personal testing. On my modern setup, I achieve quick and reliable connections once the trick was applied. Be sure to select the appropriate speed setting; the av600 supports 100mbps Ethernet (often marketed as 300mbps), but real-world performance typically ranges between 60-70mbps. If higher speeds are needed, consider av1000 or av1300. I recently switched to the UK version of this AV1300 kit, which uses gigabit and still handles my full 200mbps internet without issues. Running multiple devices from one socket adapter is also cost-effective, especially with a budget Ethernet switch. I manage my entire media setup—including HTPC, TV, consoles, etc.—through a single socket adapter seamlessly.
The modem links your network to your ISP, while the router (or switch) gathers your traffic and sends it through the modem to reach the ISP and eventually the internet. You can find affordable 8-port Gbit switches and even cheaper options using Cat 5E or Cat 6 cables for a reasonable price.
We didn’t want to go down the stairs by playing a chord, it seems odd. We might just use the powerline trick from @SuperCloneRanger and check if that helps.