ZyXEL 500Mbps Powerline Starter Kit with 4-Port Gigabit Adapter + 1-Port Gigabit Adapter (PLA4225KIT) $80 + Free Shipping

Quote from luk3d4wg : I don't pay anything extra for it. My neighborhood has 100/100 fiber connections included as part of the homeowner's association dues. I was lucky enough to be in one of the buildings that are part of an indefinite "beta test" for their upgraded 1Gbps functionality. So far it's been a year =) Although even if the test ever ends, falling back to "only" 100/100 isn't a big loss

Where do you live?

Quote from k-y : Where do you live?

Oregon -- Portland area

Not much luck with ZyXEL products in our house, we moved on to TPLink. But powerline is awesome, and this looks like a nice set. Good find!

Quote from k-y : Where do you live?

sounds like he has Google Fiber in KC

Why wouldn't I just get this one?

http://slickdeals.net/f/5844354-T...5AC-Newegg

Quote from popov13 : Why wouldn't I just get this one? http://slickdeals.net/f/5844354-T...5AC-Newegg

Because that one is 1 port to 1 port. This one is 1 port to 4 ports.

Quote from luk3d4wg : I don't pay anything extra for it. My neighborhood has 100/100 fiber connections included as part of the homeowner's association dues. I was lucky enough to be in one of the buildings that are part of an indefinite "beta test" for their upgraded 1Gbps functionality. So far it's been a year =) Although even if the test ever ends, falling back to "only" 100/100 isn't a big loss

What he fails to tell you that if everyone in his association were to be streaming netflix at the same time, they would all drop down in speed to crap....

Quote from Marthisdil : What he fails to tell you that if everyone in his association were to be streaming netflix at the same time, they would all drop down in speed to crap....

This has gotten sort of off-topic and I apologize.

To answer your point, though, I used to have congestion issues all the time during peak hours. I haven't had any congestion issues since our network was upgraded. I'm not sure how/if the bandwidth is shared, but my connection speed, regardless of time of day, constantly tests at 850mbps+ up and down. I was thinking about moving, but have stayed partially because the internet is so damn good.

Holy crap. I didn't know powerline still existed!!

Quote from luk3d4wg : This has gotten sort of off-topic and I apologize. To answer your point, though, I used to have congestion issues all the time during peak hours. I haven't had any congestion issues since our network was upgraded. I'm not sure how/if the bandwidth is shared, but my connection speed, regardless of time of day, constantly tests at 850mbps+ up and down. I was thinking about moving, but have stayed partially because the internet is so damn good.

nerd life +5

Also, the TP link has a 10/100 Mbps port not a gigabit port, so if I read this right your speed will max out at 100 Mbps. I don't know why they are rated at 500 Mbps with out a gigabit port. Any clues anyone.

Also, I have a prior 100 Mbps Tp-link, will this ZyXEL be able to plug into the same network, I want to be able to have four different adpaters in different rooms.

Quote from luk3d4wg : Because that one is 1 port to 1 port. This one is 1 port to 4 ports.

Quote from popov13 : Why wouldn't I just get this one? http://slickdeals.net/f/5844354-T...5AC-Newegg

Quote from luk3d4wg : Because that one is 1 port to 1 port. This one is 1 port to 4 ports.

In addition, the TP-LINK has only 10/100 ethernet ports, instead of gigabit

Quote from kalyanij : Also, the TP link has a 10/100 Mbps port not a gigabit port, so if I read this right your speed will max out at 100 Mbps. I don't know why they are rated at 500 Mbps with out a gigabit port. Any clues anyone.

500 Mbps is the max signaling rate. After protocol overhead, encryption, noise, etc., real-world throughput on 500Mbps adapters is around 80Mbps with gigabit ports. It's around 50Mbps with 10/100 ports.

Here's a throughput chart of various Powerline adapters [smallnetbuilder.com]

Quote from soobaerodude : In addition, the TP-LINK has only 10/100 ethernet ports, instead of gigabit

Thats cool if you want to plug devices directly into the powerline adapter, i wouldn't mind plugging a router into the adapter and then plugging anythign else in from there.

I'll have to look into the gigabit port hing because I'm not sure what it is or how important it is. Seems everyone says a normal internet connection with these thinngs only gets you below 50mbs anyway so I'm unclear on the point.

Here's the deal (from my experience and research):
If the product worked well for your friend/parents it is not guaranteed to work for you the same way.
It depends a lot on your house power line configuration and equipment!

IMPORTANT: "Check your AFCI breakers!"

Starting 2002 National Electrical Code (NEC) has mandated the use of AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) circuit breakers to protect bedroom outlets for new residential construction. Starting 2008 NEC expanded the mandated use of AFCI breakers to include hallways, family rooms, closets and many other areas.
Quotes:
"Putting a powerline networking adapter on a circuit protected by an AFCI breaker can easily knock throughput down by 50% or more."
"AFCI circuit breakers can harm HomePlug signals depending on the design of the breaker. If the design has an inductor in front of the power supply bridge, there is little if any impact on HomePlug signals."

Square D and Eaton AFCIs have this arrangement and are very HomePlug-friendly.
On the other hand if you are "blessed" with Siemens or Murray (my case) breakers, I would not recommend buying BEFORE testing them to check if they serve your purpose - but I have doubts that you will be happy!

Just so I can explain this to my friend, what do these devices do?