WiFi Disconnect
It seems that the rule of thumb on the longevity of USB WiFi adapters is right around six months to a year, and it's rare when something makes it past that. After nine months of trouble free use, last night my Buffalo USB wireless adapter disconnected, and wouldn't reconnect to my router. Annoyed and frustrated, I'm looking at my options, and looking for advice.
Of course, the obvious is to go and buy a new one. Checking the prices, to buy an equivalent would go for somewhere between $30 to $100, with $40 to $60 as the "sweet spot." My research last year suggested that these USB adapters rarely go past a year. It's kind of frustrating because the routers are built much better, and last much longer than that. I kind of would like to solve the problem more permanently. Too bad the N specs never seem to get finalized!
Part of me would like to take a break from wireless, and go hard wired. For me, that means I need to bring the computer closer to my cable modem, or to run Cat 5e cabling through my walls. As the wiring job is probably beyond what I can comfortably do, I am considering swapping my notebook with my desktop. I recently got my notebook's wireless working with the WPA encryption so at least it's a possibility.
Another part of me would like to give some type of powerline networking a go. While this technology that uses electrical wiring to connect got a bad name early on, it apparently has made some strides, and might be a viable alternative. Apparently there is not one standard for these things, which of course gives me a little hesitation. Also, for what they are, they are more expensive than many of the wireless solutions out there. Still, maybe there is something that just seems cool about sending the network through my existing electrical wiring. Anyway, I'm considering this type of product.
Ok, time for some audience participation. Anyone have any experience with powerline networking? Is it good enough to ditch WiFi? Am I better off switching my computer's locations and not buying anything waiting for the standards to be finalized? All opinions welcome!
Jonas
Of course, the obvious is to go and buy a new one. Checking the prices, to buy an equivalent would go for somewhere between $30 to $100, with $40 to $60 as the "sweet spot." My research last year suggested that these USB adapters rarely go past a year. It's kind of frustrating because the routers are built much better, and last much longer than that. I kind of would like to solve the problem more permanently. Too bad the N specs never seem to get finalized!
Part of me would like to take a break from wireless, and go hard wired. For me, that means I need to bring the computer closer to my cable modem, or to run Cat 5e cabling through my walls. As the wiring job is probably beyond what I can comfortably do, I am considering swapping my notebook with my desktop. I recently got my notebook's wireless working with the WPA encryption so at least it's a possibility.
Another part of me would like to give some type of powerline networking a go. While this technology that uses electrical wiring to connect got a bad name early on, it apparently has made some strides, and might be a viable alternative. Apparently there is not one standard for these things, which of course gives me a little hesitation. Also, for what they are, they are more expensive than many of the wireless solutions out there. Still, maybe there is something that just seems cool about sending the network through my existing electrical wiring. Anyway, I'm considering this type of product.
Ok, time for some audience participation. Anyone have any experience with powerline networking? Is it good enough to ditch WiFi? Am I better off switching my computer's locations and not buying anything waiting for the standards to be finalized? All opinions welcome!
Jonas
Labels: networking, wifi, wireless
posted by digitaldoc at 9:15 PM
3 Comments:
You're right, they have improved greatly over the last ten years but there's still one small hurdle that might exist.
Your electrical service enters your house as a 220 (230, 240) volt line with two 110 (115, 120) volt legs and a return. Those outlets or appliances set up for 220v use a three-wire, full voltage, connection.
Your 110v lines are typical tapped off one leg or the other of the 220v wiring. If that's the case, an upstairs powerline adapter on one leg may not see the one downstairs (or across the room) if its on the other.
There is a new standard in process so you might want to wait until it shows up next year. In any case, just make sure you can return the devices.
Why not go with a G or B wireless adapter? If you do not transfer LARGE amounts of data between your computer and laptop through the wireless network, save some money and grab a lower cost G adapter.
I have a Wireless N router and a wireless g adapter in my laptop and on the upstairs computer I have a B adapter!
I tried powerline networking YEARS ago and it never worked even close to what 802.11B did for me. Now I imagine they have updated it and have it working better, but I still wouldnt trust it myself.
Mike
If you are interested in 802.11B or G, I might have an adapter in my cupboard I could send you :)
Bill- Now you gave me a different problem I hadn't considered. The downstairs wiring is on a separate circuit breaker, so who knows if this is going to work. Also, one more standard to wait for. Wish they would just finalize N already.
Mike- I went with the G adapter last year, and that's the one that's broken. Thanks for the offer, I'll see if I need it.
Jonas
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