Home Network Improvement Plan - HomePlug HL115EP

Date:  July 29, 2011

If you remember, I uses Aztech HL280e to connect direct from the OpenNet ONT box to my Network Cabinet without installing those ugly cable run.  In the beginning it runs perfectly, however, later it becomes rather unstable, and usually I need to turn on and off the HL280e quite often.  Another thing is, my network at home runs 24x7x365, so, it tends to make the devices a bit hot.  Occasionnally when it gets way too hot, you will need to shut it down for at least 5-10 minutes to let it cool down.  My wife even put in some fish tank or laptop fan to try to cool it down, without knowing that the fan motor will actually affect the speed of the HL280e.

http://miniliew.blogspot.com/2011/07/home-networking-why-my-aztech-hl280e.html

Overally, HL280e is a unique new technology using MediaXtream rather than the HomePlug and PLC technology.  It uses the frequencies range from 50Mhz to 300Mhz to deliver 1000Mbps (GE) over the power line.  A comparison of the HomePlug Vs PLC Vs MediaXtream devices are nicely written here in this link (In Chinese).  If you wants great speed, then no doubt HL280e is the one to go.  However, you need to install it in a aircon room or else the heat accumulated in my network cabinet will tends to heat it up and make it unstable.  So, when this pair of monsters working fine, it is the best of the world getting the best speed.  But when it is not working, your wife will curse and swear.  hahaha  check out the heat generated ranged from 40.5C (no traffic) to 52C (loaded)... it is the highest...

http://klseet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=9

So, lately, Aztech has a new model come out.  It is Homeplug AV 500Mbps pass through.  The new HL115EP.  Before that, the HL110e has already got a good rating.  But there are few things you need to take note...

1.  If Aztech already breakthru and come out with HL280e which is gives the highest speed test result against every single other competitors of PLC & Home Plug, why do you think Aztech come out with HL115EP, which delivers 1/2 of the speed, i.e. 500Mbps Vs the HL280e's 1,000Mbps.  ? ? ?  There must be some untold reason.

2.  By the way, the price of HL115EP is $10 more than HL280e.  So, it is not the price issue where Aztech thinking to offer cheaper range of Homeplug/PLC by reducing its speed.  I think Aztech is not stupid, they want to earn big bucks, but first, they have to overcome the instability issue.

3.  This one comes with the AC pass thru filter.  What does it mean?  It means, they are trying some technology to include a filter, so that they can isolate all these noise frequencies and handle it with a filter so those noise does not affect too much the HomePlug/PLC network.

There is this Malaysian company which I have been monitoring it for quite a while, since last year.  They have come up with a device, which is a line noise filter that will promise to help reducing the line noise and make your PLC/HomePlug more stable in date rates.  Look at this video.  You will see that even the cell phone charger and laptop battery charger is going to affect the HD TV streaming.  The technology is promising, but no dates to offer its product yet.  And yes, the surge protection power adapter also will affect the date rates.  Not to mention, washing machine, dryer, hair dryer, and all those electical appliance.  I can't wait for SureStreamer to come out.  So, let's wait and see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUAnL3ZxToQ

Back to the Aztech HL155EP.  I bought 3 of them, and each is $75/each.  And my purpose of the HomePlug/PLC devise is to hook at the OpenNet ONT to my router in the Network cabinet.  So, it is just a point to point link.  And the 3rd one is to hook up to the Mio TV.

And the network has been running fine for 3 days.  Usually with HL280e, I will have to "reboot" the HomePlug/PLC device.  But for this pair HL115ev.  It works OK so far, and the heat is much lower than the HL280e.  And the data stream is much stable as I can see from my constant ping monitoring to routers, to DNS server (Internet).  As you can see, running for few days, 197410 packets has been sent and the packet lost is around 0.1% which is very good.  As you know my ONT is back in the kitchen and utility room, you would imagin there are lots of noise going to be generated during day time, i.e. dish washer, dryer, washing machine, juicer, etc.  But I see the result is far more better than the HL280E.  Which is a good sign.

One more thing...  You notice that I do not use the rest of the three outlet, and instead, I plug my Asus Black Diamond AP Router, Cisco SLM2008 Managed Switch, Dlink GE Switch and my Synology DS411+ into a power strip that is plug into the AC Pass Thru socket on the HL115E.  I was hoping that the line noise filter within the HL115E does its work of isolating the noise.  And at the ONT end, it is plug into the wall socket (away from the 13Amp Washer/Dryer socket) directly.

So far, it works perfectly, and no complaints!

There is a reason why Aztech keep coming out with new Homeplug/PLC product.  It's improvement product.  So, I suggest you change it when it comes out with new product.  (of course, after understanding what it is)  :)