Sitecom 500 Mbps homeplug Ethernet review - Sitecom Homeplug 500 Mbps

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 01/04/2012 02:00 PM [

Meet the Sitecom Homeplug 500 Mbps

The 500 Mbit homeplug transmits bandwidth intensive data easily and securely over the existing electrical wiring - without installation effort. In addition, the "Quality of Service" function prioritizes the bandwidth requirement of the data traffic, these devices have an advertised speed of 500 Mbps.

So the Sitecom functions can deliver speeds of up to 500Mb/s via Ethernet. Easy as 1-2-3 is continuously what pops into my mind... you just plug the adapter into an electrical outlet to turn your power grid into a data network. All you need is two adapters (two at minimum). If ever you decide to use a room for a different purpose or rearrange your office no problem. Your network moves with you without the need for reorganizing cables. Just plug the adapters into different electrical outlets. That really is all, and this is the sheer power of kits like these... the ease of use.

Data security
A special feature of the Sitecom adapter: a touch of a button is all it takes to activate 128-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption for maximum security. No additional software is required.

HomePlug Features

Frequency band: 2~30MHz, 30~50MHz(extend), 50~68MHz(super)
Compatibility: backwards compatible with PL64series HPAV devices
PHY rate: 500 Mbps maximum
Modulation: support OFDM 1024/256/64/16/8 QAM, QPSK, BPSK, ROBO modulation schemes
Encryption method: AES 128bit encryption with key management
HomePlug® AV MAC: TDMA and priority-based CSMA/CA channel access schemes
Power consumption: maximum 4.42W @ 100VAC, 5.3W @ 240VAC
Supports QoS, IPv4, IPv6
Power Consumption: < 6W

Package Bundle

2x adapter, compliant with HomePlug standard for fast data communication via the household power grid
Network cables (one per homeplug)
CD containing software and documentation
Hard copy of installation guide

On the CD, there's software for Mac, PC and Linux. Software identifies devices on the powerline network with the MAC address being identified and the unit added by default to the list of secure devices.

A new power-saving function ensures that the homeplug automatically switches to standby when the connected device is switched off. This reduces power consumption by around 60%, we'll measure that later on though.

Sitecom 500 Mbps Homeplugs

As stated, installation is easy. We plugged in one adapter to the network router and on the other end we plug in an adapter to a wall socket and connect it to the Ethernet. After a few seconds windows will have picked up the DHCP lease from the router and you are good to go on the web. VERY user friendly.

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Sitecom 500 Mbps homeplug Ethernet review
The Sitecom Powerline Ethernet adapters allow you to use your mains electricity circuit to transfer data, this way you can extend your network to wherever you have a free plug socket. The product we test today comes from Sitecom, their 500 Mbps plus Homeplug. The kit provides a connection of up to 500Mbits/sec. Divide that by 8 bits and you'd in theory would be able to see transfer speeds of 62.5 Megabyte per second. In practice, however we tested the maximum net data rate is much MUCH lower, 60~100 Mbits/sec - still that is faster than Wi-Fi and sufficient fenough or streaming high-definition video from say your PC with network shares to, for instance, your HTPC.

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