extension or plugs?

[imarv]

Okay so my current setup works... but i'd like more. i have 20mb package and currently recieve low speeds to my router, that is not the issue... my setup atm is a phone line extension of 40ft running throughout my house from master socket to my study. i though about moving my roueter to my master socket and then buying some belkin ethernet plugs to carry the connection but wondered to any flaws or speed loss this might carry with it... any advice!?

[RUNITDIRECT]

If you have an NTE5 try the test socket first, that will tell you if home plugs will improve matters for you. Any other extensions apart from this one serving ADSL?

[Scubbie]

A simple way to prove this would be post your router stats from both your current locations and then to connect just your router to the test socket with a microfilter and short grey ADSL lead that Sky provided.

From there we can give you a guesstimate as to what you might expect from the master socket.

It is important to realise that you may not see any huge improvement in the connection speed initially. However once you have sorted things out, you could contact Sky and ask for your connection speed to be increased.

If you cannot connect to the router with your PC when in the test socket, you could try using a mobile phone and write the figures on your PC. Otherwise, borrow a laptop from someone.

With regards to how well HomePlugs work, generally they work very well. I can't comment on the specific ones that you are looking at, but I tend to advise people to consider a pair that support either 100mbps or 200mbps connection between them.

If your electrical wiring is poor quality, then they will suffer.

A good alternative would be to run a long Ethernet cable through a socket in your wall. Ethernet cable has become quite cheap recently. If taking this router I would suggest Cat 5e, or better still shielded Cat 6 cable. These would support a faster connection of 1Gbit should you upgrade at a later date.

Finally I would also consider fitting a filtered faceplate.

[RUNITDIRECT]

CAT5e will support Gigabit & note pretty much everything with copper in it is going UP!!! Watch out for CCA & CCA junk cable due to this very fact.

[imarv]

I have a gaming PC and i really cant move it to the test socket, wireless wont connect??? i think that could be due to out of range but im not sure. anything else?

[Scubbie]

I have a gaming PC and i really cant move it to the test socket, wireless wont connect??? i think that could be due to out of range but im not sure. anything else?

Any WiFi enable device should be able to log on to the router, hence why I suggested a mobile telephone as many have this ability.

It is just the router stats that are required at this stage. Specifically the connection speed, Line Attenuation & Noise margin for both the upstream & downstream connections.

In fairness most people would agree that your connection is likely improve if you can use a filtered faceplate in the master socket, connect your router at that point, and run either a pair of HomePlugs or an Ethernet cable.

The improvement is most likely if you have a number of extensions running from behind the faceplate. If they are running from the front (i.e. plugged into the master socket), then a filtered faceplate may not make such a huge difference, but it would help to make things tidier.

[Isitme]

If your extension is the flat wire telephone type, I guarantee you are loosing out. Swap this for a dedicated ADSL extension and this will solve most of your problems. You can obtain this from RunITDirect, either with a plug fitted or ready to wire into the master socket. Have a word with him and he will fix you up with what you need.
NTE2000 ADSL Extension Kit, 10M

[imarv]

Stats from master socket... although these seemed wrong to me this is by wifi to my mobile.. i have screen shots but cba to upload so ill just show you...

Downstream 3776
Upstream 896
Lin Attenuation Down 26db
Line Attenuation Up 7db
Noise Margin Down 14db
Noise Margin Up 14db

[Isitme]

It looks like the plug has not made a proper connection with the socket. Try it again and this time slide the plug in and out a few times to remove any residue on the socket. If you had rebooted your router when it was in the Test socket it would have synced higher. It does not matter if you take the stats by wireless phone, they will be the same as you would get with ethernet.

[Scubbie]

With that line attenuation your connection speed should be closer to 16Mb according to the tool on this site.

SkyUser - Potential ADSL2 Line Speed Checker & Calculator

I would suggest that if you follow Tom's advise & clean the contacts, then change things so that you can use your router in the Master Socket, then you could give Sky a call to get your line uncapped.

You have some noise margin showing on the connection. This is normal when the connection speed has been limited.