Solid link without Ethernet

[josephnv]

Hello,

I'm having some big headaches with my network. I have a HP Microserver N54L running Synology DSM (NAS software) loaded with all my files, and client machines dotted around the house. I've put this NAS in the spare room.

I really need to have good, solid access to my NAS from my HTPC downstairs and to my office upstairs.

The HP server is too loud, too hot and just too big to have in my home office (space is a real premium), so I need to keep it elsewhere.

I bought some TP-Link 200Mbps HomePlugs, which work great and are just about enough to watch HD movies downstairs, but the actual file transfer rates are pretty woeful (~5MB/s). This isn't really enough for solid iTunes performance and for copying files back and forth.

I need a way to get much better speeds between my home office and the NAS, but I can't go tearing plasterboard off my walls - I need something easier.

The only cables I have running between these rooms are the power cables, I was hoping there'd be a way, in 2014, to better utilise this to get better speeds than 5MB/s.

Is there anything else I can do to see a worthwhile improvement in speeds between the 2 locations? Preferably methods that don't include redecorating.

Thank you so much!

Joseph

 

[Mark R]

You will need to run ethernet.

I've tried wireless N, wireless AC, powerline networking. None work well enough for big file transfers.

 

[Ayah]

you can always try to run it against/along the wall. uglier but works just the same.
could you run a wireless AP closer to your clients as a stopgap measure?

 

[Wabbitzzz]

Most I was ever able to get over Powerline was around 3MB/s and that was on higher quality powerline adapters only a floor down with their own outlets. Powerline is great for internet speed (I get full 30/10 using it) but not good for local data transfer. I was getting faster results using N.

 

[pete6032]

Have you tried different outlets? The last place I lived I had terrible power line networking, current place I live its great. It can be really hit and miss, so try plugging into different power lines.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I get decent speeds from power line in my (well, condo, which is probably the problem)... when it actually works.

I don't know who's turning on what, or where it's plugged in, and/or what's interfering with the signal, but it'll work for a couple hours and then - blammo. Nothing for 20 minutes. Then it's fine again like nothing happened.

 

[azazel1024]

If you are able to get ~5MB/sec over powerline with 200Mbps adapters you'd probably be able to get ~12-15MB/sec with newer 500/600Mbps AV2 powerline adapters with gigabit ports on them.

It ain't pretty still, but you should be able to at least double your current speeds.

If you have plaster and lathe, unless it is short distance, you are unlikely to better that with wireless. You could still try it. I'd setup a couple of 2:2 or 3:3 wireless routers in bridge mode using 5GHz and directional antennas. If the distance isn't too extreme you might well be able to get ~20-40MB/sec with 11ac. Or you can try with 2.4GHz and set it on a different channel than your whole house network.

Nothing is going to be as good as running cat cable between the rooms; though, you can however do better than what you are suffering through right now. The newer powerline adapters are almost guaranteed to be a decent speed boost, probably a doubling up to maybe a quadrupling of speed. Wireless is more of an unknown without trial and error.

 

[KentState]

I'm in the same boat and while better, even the newer powerline adapters don't make a worlds of difference. I purchased a 150 foot Cat 6 cable made for outdoors and have thought about running it along the outside wall of the house. Since this is a rental, I'm not about to tear up the walls.