With some new parts, Devolo's dLAN
500 system just got even better
I am a fan of Devolo dLAN 500 equipment, as
it generally does what it claims on the box. Maybe on occasion I wish it
wouldn't quote theoretical speeds, but for those not wishing to push Ethernet
cables through the fabric of their home, this power line-subverting technology
is a good alternative.
The very latest version, incorporating AV
Wireless+, takes what is already a very useful solution and makes it even more
flexible. Previously you've been able to buy the dLAN 500 AV Triple+, which was
a powerline output with three network sockets, and the dLAN 200 Wireless N,
which was the same but with a wireless component. This product merges both
those concepts into a single starter kit, allowing not only wired but wireless
expansion using the ring-main as the distribution system.
Devolo
dLAN 500 AV Wireless + Starter Kit
The starter kit consists of two parts: the
standard dLAN 50 AVplus and its much bigger dLAN 500 AV Wireless+ brother. The
AVplus is designed to take a single Ethernet line, presumably from the vicinity
of you broadband router. A network connection is then established when the AV
Wireless is put in any power socket on the same circuit, where you can connect
using either Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
The beauty of this solution is that it can
add Wi-Fi to a system that doesn't already have it or extend the service to a
location where the structure of the building makes the signal weak.
As with all the latest Devolo dLAN 500
hardware, it also doesn't fully occupy a power socket, as both elements have a
very convenient pass through socket.
Given what it does, and generally how well
it works in use, I've had to dig deep to find some faults with this package,
but I found a few minor annoyances.
The
beauty of this solution is that it can add Wi-Fi to a system that doesn't
already have it or extend the service to a location where the structure of the
building makes the signal weak
One is that the Wi-Fi key that you need to
enter to get Wi-Fi access (unless you use WPS) is on the wall-facing side of
the AV Wireless* unit. This forces you to unplug it to then enter it, to then
get a message to say it's not there, because you just unplugged it!
I also noticed that while it supports WEP
and WPA2 encryption, it doesn't include a WPA-E Enterprise mode. That makes the
hardware less attractive to those business users who live and breathe security,
but for most people this will not be an issue.
The only other catch is the price, but
having cut holes in my home, this isn't a big overhead to avoid the many hours
of work and disruption.
For those who already have dLAN 500 kit,
the AV Wireless adapter can be bought separately for $137, reducing the cost by
$60.9. You can buy cheaper Powerline solutions, but the features in this one
make it well worth the extra money.
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Details
§ Price:
$ 199
§ Manufacturer:
Devolo
§ Website:
www.devolo.co.uk
§ Required
spec: computers, Ethernet network, broadband
Key Features
§ 500Mbps
connection for fast data transmission for your home network
§ The
latest dual-band wireless-n connectivity up to 300Mbps for range extending
§ Three
LAN ports for connecting three cabled network devices
§ The
integrated pass-through socket ensures that no power outlet is lost
§ Encryption
for WLAN (WPS, WEP, WPAAA/PA2) and dLAN (AES)
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