House network solution - will it work?

[Rayzz]

I think I have a solution planned that might work to get my entire house functioning with a reliable network and would appreciate comments on the effectiveness/reliability of the plan. Please understand that networking is not my area of expertise.

Here is my setup:
Second floor office has a PC, an iMac and a printer plugged into a Linksys WRT54GL wireless router. I replaced the router antenna with a high gain set. In a couple of months, the iMac will be replaced with a wireless laptop.
(NOTE: The wireless router replaced a Linksys BEFSR41 router which works)

Basement home theater has a Wii (wireless capability and it can ?see? the network) and a Denon 3808CI receiver (network connector, but must be hardwired).

Additionally, when I finished the basement, I installed X-10 lighting which I can operate with remote controls. To eliminate problems before they started with the lighting, I installed a phase coupler on the electric box.

I want the wireless capability so I can use the laptop anywhere in the house (as well as on the patio in the back yard). However, I also want to be able to get at the home theater with a network to be able to stream music, pictures, internet, video, etc to the big screen and make use of the Denon?s network capabilty and much prefer the stability of being hard wired. Running Cat 5/Cat 6 (or any other wire) to the basement is a problem.

With all of that in mind, here is what I think I can do and am looking for some suggestions/comments. I have done some research on using powerline network adapters and the Linksys PLK200 Powerline Ethernet Adapter Kit gets good marks for speed and reliability and is consistent with my other network equipment. With the phase coupler in place, reliability should not be a problem. By connecting the upstairs WRT54GL to an adapter and then plugging the other adapter into a basement outlet, I would have a single connector in the basement.

More connections would mean adding adapters. However, the basement will be the focal point for my additional network needs (the Denon, maybe an HTPC in the future, and who knows what else.). I believe I can use the ?now surplus? BEFSR41 router as a switch by plugging it into the powerline adapter in the basement, giving me a few extra ports. Is this correct?

The back of the BEFSR41 has the following array: 1 WAN port, ports 1-4 and an Uplink port. I don?t think I want to use the WAN port, but what port do I use to connect to the powerline adapter?

Finally, do I need to turn off DHCP for the BEFSR41 to use just the switch capability? What do I need to do relative to security/passwords (I am using WPA tkip) for the adapters and/or BEFSR41 or does the main network password cover the whole set up. Can I do all of this through the Linksys ?Easylink Advisor? software I have on my desktop?

Any help will be much appreciated.

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AnandTech's Networking Forum.

Quote: "The back of the BEFSR41 has the following array: 1 WAN port, ports 1-4 and an Uplink port. I don?t think I want to use the WAN port, but what port do I use to connect to the powerline adapter?".

You use a regular port (or Uplink whcih ever works) and leave the WAN port open.

Disable the DHCP, and make sure that the core IP of the device is on the same subnet as other devices and does not clash with other IPs.

 

[Rayzz]

Thanks Jack!

WIll I need to (possibly) manually adjust the IP address' subnet number by using the Linksys SW or the website?

Same question on the DHCP - SW or web interface.

 

[Rayzz]

Well, I have had the Linksys PLK200 powerline adapters set up for a couple of weeks now and they "mostly" work.

I am getting an odd problem.

The router/PC is in the 2nd floor office. An adapter is plugged into the router. The other adapter is in the basement and I have it connected to a switch, then to a Denon 3808 receiver.

When I get into the 3808 NET/USB set, I can see and play the music from the PC. However, after 9-11 minutes, the streaming stops/network is gone. I can get it back by unplugging/replugging the adapter. Then I get 9-11 minutes and it happens again. Every time. I tried going from the adapter directly to the Denon, same result.

Nothing (additional is running in the house or going off/on. The PC is not going into a sleep mode (screen stays active). I have been using the powerlines for my phone system for years without problem.

It's almost like there is something set up to do something every ten minutes. I am stumped.

Any ideas?

 

[mxnerd]

Just bought this Linksys PLK200 for $90 (including tax) from a local Circuit City store that's closing and I updated to newest firmware 3.3.

Th max speed on the same floor is about 38Mbps and is pretty steady. But to the furthest spot downstairs the speed drops to 18Mbps.

But it is way better than my wireless adapter, which just can't penetrate the walls and reach my asus 500gp on the far end of the house.