Configuring Powerline Network Adapters?

Gazza33 · 10-10-2008, 10:26 AM

Hey, I'm currently having a battle with powerline adapters and I can't get my head round it at all, so if anyone could shed some light on this I would be very grateful.

This is my setup:

I have my main computer connected to my Netgear DG834GT which works fine. I then have an ethernet cable connected to my Netgear that leads to the master powerline socket. In my other room I have the slave powerline adapter connected to my parents computer.

My working computers configuration looks like this.

IP: 192.168.0.7
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
DHCP: 192.168.0.1
DNS: 192.168.0.1

The two adapters configuration is like this:

Set to DHCP rather than fixed.

IP: 10.10.1.69
Subnet: 255.255.0.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.105

My non-working computer:

IP: 169.254.96.XX
Subnet: 255.255.0.0
Gateway: No entry

In network connections it states that its a private address.

What am I doing wrong? I have tried different combinations when manually entering the settings but to no avail. Is there something on the modem I have to change?

Thanks

**JamesO** · 10-10-2008, 10:38 AM

Powerline network adapters are a PITA.

Usually they do no like to be plugged into power strips or in any outlet that has any kind of power line filter. I have also seen switching power supplies, such as iPod chargers, cause problems when they are plugged into the same outlet.

A 169.x.x.x address means the computer did not get a valid IP address from the router.

Either you have a cabling problem, a NIC card issue, or most likely the PowerLine Ethernet Adapter is not working correctly.

Some PowerLine Ethernet Adapter have a utility you can install to look at the Ethernet link quality.

What I would do not make sure the PowerLine Ethernet Adapter is plugged into the wall and not a power strip. Then move the other adapter into the same room and see if you can get a connection in the same room to confirm there is no cable problem. Then move the adapter back to the target location.

Sometimes I troubleshoot using an extension cord to find a location the unit may actually work in. Then I use a longer Ethernet cord if necessary.

Usually the PowerLine Ethernet Adapters do not need any configuration. They will usually work out of the box, some you can encrypt the link as well.

You should not need to change anything in your network.

I find PowerLine Ethernet Adapters a bit iffy at times and be careful once they work, someone can plug something in that will kill the connection.

JamesO

10-10-2008, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gazza33 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 OS: Vista 32	Configuring Powerline Network Adapters? Hey, I'm currently having a battle with powerline adapters and I can't get my head round it at all, so if anyone could shed some light on this I would be very grateful. This is my setup: I have my main computer connected to my Netgear DG834GT which works fine. I then have an ethernet cable connected to my Netgear that leads to the master powerline socket. In my other room I have the slave powerline adapter connected to my parents computer. My working computers configuration looks like this. IP: 192.168.0.7 Subnet: 255.255.255.0 Gateway: 192.168.0.1 DHCP: 192.168.0.1 DNS: 192.168.0.1 The two adapters configuration is like this: Set to DHCP rather than fixed. IP: 10.10.1.69 Subnet: 255.255.0.0 Gateway: 192.168.1.105 My non-working computer: IP: 169.254.96.XX Subnet: 255.255.0.0 Gateway: No entry In network connections it states that its a private address. What am I doing wrong? I have tried different combinations when manually entering the settings but to no avail. Is there something on the modem I have to change? Thanks

10-10-2008, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Re: Configuring Powerline Network Adapters? Powerline network adapters are a PITA. Usually they do no like to be plugged into power strips or in any outlet that has any kind of power line filter. I have also seen switching power supplies, such as iPod chargers, cause problems when they are plugged into the same outlet. A 169.x.x.x address means the computer did not get a valid IP address from the router. Either you have a cabling problem, a NIC card issue, or most likely the PowerLine Ethernet Adapter is not working correctly. Some PowerLine Ethernet Adapter have a utility you can install to look at the Ethernet link quality. What I would do not make sure the PowerLine Ethernet Adapter is plugged into the wall and not a power strip. Then move the other adapter into the same room and see if you can get a connection in the same room to confirm there is no cable problem. Then move the adapter back to the target location. Sometimes I troubleshoot using an extension cord to find a location the unit may actually work in. Then I use a longer Ethernet cord if necessary. Usually the PowerLine Ethernet Adapters do not need any configuration. They will usually work out of the box, some you can encrypt the link as well. You should not need to change anything in your network. I find PowerLine Ethernet Adapters a bit iffy at times and be careful once they work, someone can plug something in that will kill the connection. JamesO