On Sun, 30 Dec 2012 11:02:23 +0000, Lobster
wrote:

On 30/12/2012 08:05, MM wrote:
On Sun, 30 Dec 2012 00:22:34 +0000, Lobster
wrote:

On 29/12/2012 14:58, MM wrote:
On Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:47:12 +0000, Tim Watts
wrote:

MM wrote:

My Cat5 network at home works fine, but soon I shall be entertaining a
relative for several weeks, the relative has a laptop and wishes to
connect to my network.

I already have two TP-Link TL-PA211KIT 200Mbps Mini Powerline Ethernet
Adapters to run a PC downstairs via the mains, (Router and ADSL modem
are upstairs.)

I'm thinking of buying this:
TP Link TL-WPA281 AV200 Powerline Extender with Wireless N Access
Point

Have you considered just replacing the exisiting router with one which
includes wireless functionality? The only issue with that is whether
you'd have adequate wifi coverage where you need it in the house
(depends on distance, wall thickness etc) but otherwise all things being
equal it would be a much better solution than buying a mains-borne
device. And cheaper

Get a mate with a smartphone to come round.

And then what?!!! I am a COMPLETE novice where wifi is concerned.
What's supposed to happen?

You'll have already set up the router with a wifi name (SSID)

No, the existing network is a *wired* setup employing only Cat5
cables. The Thomson SpeedTouch model 536 connects to the phone socket
and to the D-Link DES-1005D switch. I currently have NO wifi. The
extra TP-Link gizmo that I'll buy is for adding wifi to the existing
wired installation.

Yeah, I get that - hence "You'll have", not "You have"! To be honest
if you were getting a normal wifi router rather than a powerline one I'd
probably suggest you just wait until the relative arrives and it would
be fine - it's that straightforward to enable the wifi - however these
powerline jobs can be a little flaky and/or ideosyncratic, so it's
probably worthwhile checking out in advance as you are planning.

Well, I hear what you say, but I can only say that my TP-Link home
plugs have been 100% reliable with no perceived degradation when
copying/downloading files if I'm temporarily connected via a TP-Link
home plug downstairs through the house wiring. I will point out that
the house is only 9 years old, so the ring mains should be tip-top.
There's a separate circuit for the upper/lower floor ring mains, each
with its own trip switch in the consumer unit, but the jolly old
TP-Link thingy just works every time no matter where I plug it in.

MM