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[JDMils]

My details:

Router: Technicolor TG797n v3, 3x MBit ports + 1x Gigabit ports
Switch: Netgear JGS916 (Prosafe 16-port Gigabit switch)
Location: Melbourne, Australia
ISP: Telstra Fibre Download: 100Mb/s, Upload 40Mb/s
Test application: Tamosoft Throughput Test V1.0 (has separate Client & Server apps)
Homeplug Reset to factory default: Yes

Test machines:
Server01: 10.0.0.6 running Windows Server 2008 R2
Client01: 10.0.0.5 running Windows7 x32


Test 1: Both homplugs connected to the same power point. Homeplug1 connected via CAT5 cable to router MB port 1 + Homeplug2 connected via CAT5 cable to Client01.

Throughput client: Client01
Throughput server: Server01

Upload speed: 69Mb/s avg
Download speed: 56Mb/s avg

Throughput client: Server01
Throughput server: Client01

Upload speed: 52Mb/s avg
Download speed: 71Mb/s avg


Test 2: Both homplugs connected to the same power point. Homeplug1 connected via CAT5 cable to switch GB port 12 + Homeplug2 connected via CAT5 cable to Client01.

Throughput client: Client01
Throughput server: Server01

Upload speed: 62Mb/s avg
Download speed: 28Mb/s avg

Throughput client: Server01
Throughput server: Client01

Upload speed: 28Mb/s avg
Download speed: 62Mb/s avg


Problem #1: These units are supposed to run up to 500Mb/s, however in the best scenario, I can only get around 70Mb/s. Why?
Problem #2: Why is it that when one of the homplugs is connected to the switch, that the download speed drops to half?

I've tried the above tests many times, and on three other computers all with their WiFi switched off. Antivirus is disabled on all test computers.

[FurryNutz]

I recommend that you phone contact your regional D-Link support office and ask for help and information regarding this. We find that phone contact has better immediate results over using email.
Let us know how it goes please.

[JDMils]

Thanks. I'll see how I go with that.

[FurryNutz]

Let us know what you find out.

Good Luck.

[JDMils]

I've logged the issue with DLINK support but have not received a response for a few weeks now. I took the unit to my in laws house and got the same results so I guess I will look into returning the units this weekend and get the "TP-LINK AV600 Gigabit Powerline Adapter Starter Kit (TL-PA6010KIT)" device which has been shown to work at 172Mb/s which is much more than what the DLINK devices can do.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/charts/powerline/view

[FurryNutz]

Sounds like you have faulty units if the problem followed.

We find that phone contact has better immediate results over using email.

Good Luck.

[JDMils]

DLINK does not care about its customers!

I rang and they said it was my wiring. I then received the following email:

The Case ID that references your Technical Support mail is DAU3040078.

[Critical: Please do not change the subject line of your email when you reply. Leaving the subject line as it is will allow us to review your complete history and help us to better serve you.]

Sorry about the delay. The maximum throughput is based on theoretical transmission PHY rate. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of traffic and network overhead, may lower actual data throughput rate. Interference from devices that emit electrical noise, such as vacuum cleaners and hair dryers, may adversely affect the performance of this product. This product may interfere with devices such as lighting systems that have a dimmer switch or a touch-sensitive on/off feature, short wave radios, or other Powerline devices that do not follow the HomePlug AV standard. Thank you.

Should you require further assistance with your D-Link products, please reply to this message, or call toll free at 1300 700 100 (AU) 0800 900900 (NZ). Technical support line is available 24 hours a day, every day.
Thank you for networking with D-Link.

In other words, bugger off, we don't care. The fact that I took the units to my inlaws house and tried the same tests and found the same result suggests that the units are either badly designed or faulty, but based on the response from DLINK, it sounds like they don't care so I'm returning the units back to the store where I bought them.

[FurryNutz]

Good Luck.

[JDMils]

Thanks guys. I returned the DLINK units and I'm looking at reviews on other similar products to see which ones will live up to their specs. Interestingly even the 600Mb/s units will only do around 200Mb/s on a good day!?

What speeds are you guys getting?

[FurryNutz]

Any chance you can run CAT6 wire cabling? Might be something to check in to. LAN wire is preferred and would eliminate any speed concerns with using any PL device. Even though they are good, they still can't match full on wire lines.

[FurryNutz]

This is coming soon:
http://us.dlink.com/products/connect/powerline-av2-2000-gigabit-starter-kit/

[JDMils]

Based on what I've tested so far, if they reckon it'll do 2Gb/s speed then it will actually do 200Mb/s so I would not be holding my breath.

[FurryNutz]

Until it's actually tested, we can't assume anything.

[JDMils]

If you have a look here, at the tested units, you will see that it does not matter what the rated speed is, the actual speed is a LOT lower:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/charts/powerline/view

The most expensive item, D-Link PowerLine AV 500 Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-501AV), is rated at upto 500Mb/s, yet it was tested at 80.1Mb/s.
The best performing item, ZyXEL 1200 Mbps Powerline Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (PLA5405KIT), is rated at upto 1200Mb/s, yet it was tested at 188.3Mb/s.

So you can see a trend, drop the last "0" to get the real-world throughput.

I cannot even imagine how these companies are even getting half of the speed the units are rated at. I'd love to see the internal testing documents!

[FurryNutz]

IT's the same with HDD Mfrs.