Review: D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit – Unlock the Full Potential of Your Home Network

Home networking constantly evolves to accommodate the ever-increasing need for faster and more reliable connections. One technology often overlooked or dismissed is the transmission of the internet over your home’s electricity cabling using PowerLine adapters.

This innovative solution allows you to extend your home network using your home’s existing electrical wiring. Let’s delve into the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit – and explore how it can unlock the full potential of your home network. We’ve just installed a pair in a long, single-storey double-brick farmhouse. They have made an enormous difference where WiFi just couldn’t get signals where we needed them most.

How Does a PowerLine Adapter Work?

A PowerLine Adapter transmits electrical signals across an electrical circuit at a much higher frequency than electricity. In Australia, electricity travels along a copper wire at 50 Hz. A PowerLine Adapter sends network traffic along the same cable between 2 MHz to 86 MHz. Internet over the phone line (ADSL) worked on the same principle. You could talk on the phone whilst using the internet being delivered over the same line.

What is the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit?

The D-Link PowerLine AV2 Kit allows you to create a high-speed, reliable, secure network connection using your home’s electrical wiring. Its plug-and-play design makes the kit incredibly easy to set up and requires no additional hardware or software installation. The standard kit includes two PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Adapters, which can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet. This clever tech turns your power outlets into network access points.

Key features of the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit

The D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit offers a host of features designed to unlock the full potential of your home network and optimise your home computing experience. Some of its key features include:

1. High-speed connectivity: The kit can deliver up to 1 Gigabit speed ensuring you enjoy lightning-fast, lag-free connections at home.
2. Passthrough design: The kit’s passthrough design allows you to continue using the power outlet for other devices.
3. Plug-and-play setup: The kit is straightforward, requiring no additional hardware or software installation. Plug the adapters into your power outlets and connect your devices to create a fast and secure network connection. You know you’re in business when you see three green lights at each end.
4. Power-saving mode: The D-Link PowerLine AV2 Kit features a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption when not in use.
5. Secure encryption: The kit comes equipped with 128-bit AES encryption, ensuring your network remains secure and protected from unauthorised access. This is especially great for apartments.

Benefits of using a PowerLine ethernet kit for your home network

There are several advantages to using a PowerLine ethernet kit like the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit for your home network.

1. Extended range: Extend the range of your home network, ensuring that all areas of your home enjoy solid and reliable connections.
2. Reduced interference: Unlike wireless extenders, PowerLine ethernet kits do not suffer from interference caused by wireless devices or physical obstructions. Consistently low latency is also a feature of PowerLine Adapters.
3. Increased speed: The high-speed connectivity ensures you can enjoy fast, lag-free connections for all your data-intensive tasks.
4. Easy installation: With their plug-and-play design, PowerLine ethernet kits are straightforward and require no additional hardware or software installation.

Setting up the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit

Setting up the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit is a breeze, thanks to its plug-and-play design. Follow these simple steps to get your kit up and running:

1. Plug one of the PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Adapters into an electrical outlet near your router or modem. To maximise speeds, avoid plugging a PowerLine adapter into a power board or a double adapter.
2. Connect the adapter to your router or modem using the included Ethernet cable.
3. Plug the second PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Adapter into an electrical outlet near the device you wish to connect to your network, such as a computer, gaming console, or smart TV.
4. Connect the device to the adapter using an Ethernet cable.
5. The adapters will automatically establish a secure connection, allowing you to enjoy high-speed, reliable network connectivity throughout your home.
6. Up to sixteen (16) PowerLine Adapters can be connected on a single home circuit. They are also backwards compatible with the PowerLine AV, AV500 kits.

Maximising the Gigabit potential of your home network

To unlock the full potential of your D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit and enjoy gigabit connectivity, you’ll need to ensure that your home network and connected devices can support such high speeds. Here are some tips to help you maximise the performance of your PowerLine ethernet kit:

1. Invest in a gigabit router: Use a gigabit router/switch to maximise the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Kit’s gigabit speeds.
2. Use high-quality Ethernet cables: For optimal performance, use Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 Ethernet cables to connect your devices to the PowerLine adapters.
3. Upgrade your devices: Ensure that your devices have gigabit-capable Ethernet ports to benefit from the kit’s high-speed connectivity.
4. Minimise electrical interference: PowerLine ethernet kits can be affected by electrical interference from other devices. To minimise interference, avoid plugging the adapters into outlets shared with high-power appliances or devices with large transformers.

Troubleshooting common issues with PowerLine Ethernet Kits

You may encounter some issues during setup or operation. PowerLine ethernet kits like the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit are designed for ease of use and reliability. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

1. Poor connection speeds: Plug the adapters into different electrical outlets or use a different Ethernet cable if you experience unstable connections. Additionally, ensure your router and connected devices support gigabit speeds.
2. Connection drops: If your PowerLine network connection keeps dropping, ensure that the adapters are not plugged into power strips or extension cords, as these can cause interference.
3. No connection: If you cannot establish a connection between the adapters, try resetting them by unplugging them for 10 seconds and plugging them back in. Ensuring that the adapters are on the same electrical circuit is another tip.

Conclusion: Is the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit right for your home network?

In conclusion, the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit offers an effective and convenient solution for extending your home network and enjoying high-speed, reliable connectivity. With its easy setup, passthrough design, and secure encryption, the kit is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their network performance without the hassle of installing additional cables or dealing with wireless interference. If you’re in search of a PowerLine ethernet kit that can unlock the full potential of your home network, the D-Link PowerLine AV2 Gigabit Passthrough Kit is certainly worth considering.

Available directly from D-Link for $199.95