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RITS_SOLUTION
18-11-2008, 07:22 PM
Hi, After receiving a few pms with regards to the homeplug. I've conducted a small test to review how effective it is in my home. This is just a test conducted at my home to help those who wishes to know how effective is the homeplug.

Test setup:
One DNS-323 ( where I will transfer file from )
One 2Wire1800Hg ( acts as router )
One HP tx1209au Laptop ( Will Only use Lan port )
A pair of Aztech Homeplug HL105E ( One on Lower Floor, One on Upper Floor )
2 Cat5e cables ( One from router to DNS-323, One for connecting to Laptop )

On HomePlug1:
Power -> HomePlug1/Multi(1)/Multi(2)

(Multi(1)) & (Multi(2))
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/Down1.jpg

On HomePlug2:
Power1->Multi(3)/Power2->Multi(4)

(Multi(3)) & (Multi(4))
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/Up1.jpg

*For a list of the appliances to the Multi, refer to btm.

2 Types of test will be Conducted in 4 test conditions.
Transfer Test - Using DU Meter 4.01 to Transfer 1GB File (Repeated 10 times, Medium Taken)
Latency Test - Using Ping to Transfer 20 packets (Repeated 5 times)

The 4 Test Conditions are:
Direct / Homeplug / Multi /MultiMax

Direct is a direct connection from my laptop to the Router
Homeplug is a connection from Laptop to Homeplug direct to wall socket
Multi is a connection with the Laptop to a Homeplug on a Multi-Adapter
MultiMax is like Multi but with most of the appliances are Switched ON



Here are the results:

No Transfer:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/Nothing.jpg
Incoming: 0.1KB/s

Direct:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/Direct3.jpg
Transfer Speed - Incoming: 5.5MB/s
Latency - Min(<1ms) Max(<1ms) Average(<1ms)

Homeplug:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/hp3.jpg
Transfer Speed - Incoming: 1.9MB/s (~34% Performance from Original)
Latency - Min(2ms) Max(2ms) Average(2ms)


Multi:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/Multi3.jpg
Transfer Speed - Incoming: 1.0MB/s (~18% Performance From Original)
Latency - Min(2ms) Max(5ms) Average(2ms)

MultiMax:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/MultiMax3.jpg
Transfer Speed - Incoming: 0.766Mb/s (~14% Performance From Original)
Latency - Min(2ms) Max(9ms) Average(4ms)


Conclusion:
TABLE
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x58/wateraxe/Table1.jpg

Transfer Speeds
There is a significant drop of ~66% when using the powerline. With multi-adapters, the drop went down a furthur ~16%. With Most Appliances Swiched On for the multi-adapter, performance drop an even furthur ~4%.
For networking and file transfers, this reduction is significant. However, at 0.766MBps, it is still sufficient to stream movie without lag in my opinion
For Surfing or gaming, 0.766MBps is more than sufficient. With my 3Mbps Singnet line, the maximum for internet is 0.3MBps. This means that the Homeplug is more than sufficient for my surfing/gaming.
Latency
-Need help to infer from results-


Note1*- This test may differ from house to house as other factors may affect results
Note2*- I will try and improve this thread as much as possible in the future. Feel Free to recommend changes. Thanks

*APPENDIX*
Multi1- Fan, Router, 5.1 Spk, LCD Monitor, Desktop PC, Printer, Lamp, Radio/Alarm/Clock.
Multi2- DNS323, USB-HDD1, USB-HDD2, DVD Player, DVD Player Wireless, Plasma TV, SCV, Wii
Multi3- Mini-Hifi, Fan, Radio/Alarm/Clock, Handphone Charger1
Multi4- LCD Tv, DVD Player, Handphone Charger2, LCD Monitor, Desktop1, Desktop2, Speakers, Handphone Charger3, Mp4 Charger, Router, Laptop Adapter1, Laptop Adapter2, Lamp
Note3*- Is this overload?

**Table To be added**
ChangeLog(18/11 @ 2130hrs) - Added Latency(ping) test and MultiMax
RITS_SOLUTION
18-11-2008, 07:22 PM
Reserved for Q and A

How many test were done for each?
A total of 10 tests were done. I've taken the medium. The variance very small and negligible.

Why DNS-323 and not internet?
Its more consistent and there are less factors involved. Furthurmore, bottlenecks are usually at the internet connection.

Are 2Wire1800Hg and DNS-323 ports 10/100?
Yes they are.

HL105E is an old model. Why use it and what happens if I use a newer model?
I'm using what I have. No money to buy new model. With its stated theoritical 85Mbps speed, I would expect newer and faster models to perform faster.

Rational for using Laptop?
Cause I'm trying to keep as many things constant and make it a more fair test. Furthurmore, laptops are easier to bring up and down the house rather than desktop.
liangtam
18-11-2008, 07:59 PM
no one measures latency ah?
RITS_SOLUTION
18-11-2008, 08:11 PM
Ahh... I will measure that tonight. whats the best method to do this? from what i see, I can do a ping test or a trace. Which is better or is there a specific or better command? Thanks
phuque99
18-11-2008, 08:18 PM
Just curious if you can try the following:

1. Homeplug on power strip on both location
2. Any difference if the powerstrip is empty or is powering other running devices

Average wireless G speed is about 20Mbps on a good day, translating to 2.5MBps. Thus 802.11g maybe still faster than homeplug, despite what is printed on the box?

I'm also curious of latency. Try "ping -t" for about 10-20 packets, with homeplug vs direct.
liangtam
18-11-2008, 09:03 PM
just ping ur NAS will do mah, its just an indicative.

Oh, it would be more fun if u feedback noise into electricity say running motor appliance like hairdryer, performance may drop further :)
seankyh
18-11-2008, 10:10 PM
Did you try plugging the homeplug straight to the wall socket instead of a powerstrip? Any difference?
RITS_SOLUTION
18-11-2008, 11:10 PM
Under "HomePlug" It was direct to wall socket.
Under Multi / MultiMax it was using powerstrip
chunlianghere
19-11-2008, 12:23 AM
finally get to knw the latency when using homeplug. only additional of 1ms. but wit multi, oh no!
RITS_SOLUTION
19-11-2008, 01:40 AM
My advice if that if u have more than one wall socket, dedicate one solely for the homeplug :)
EddyVlad
19-11-2008, 03:11 AM
My advice if that if u have more than one wall socket, dedicate one solely for the homeplug :)

That's very hard to come by really. Too many things need the limited wall socket.
GetaBlue
19-11-2008, 03:39 AM
I've been using the first gen homeplug from aztech for about 3 years before it got fried, the thing about this product for me is that the connection was stable and idiot proof to use, really just plug and use. only that the cost was abit high.
RITS_SOLUTION
19-11-2008, 09:33 AM
That's very hard to come by really. Too many things need the limited wall socket.

True. Hence, if you have those wall sockets with two inputs, use 1 solely for homeplug and the other u can multi



I've been using the first gen homeplug from aztech for about 3 years before it got fried, the thing about this product for me is that the connection was stable and idiot proof to use, really just plug and use. only that the cost was abit high.

Very much have to agree here. I've had this homeplug around 2-3 years too. It is very much easy to use. Just plug here, plug here, connect and can use straightaway. Really idiot proof and no need to do any configuration. Bought mine at PC show during that time, where there was a good offer for a pair. Still a bit expensive, but it solved my problem of having good internet connections in both floors. Rather use this than run cable up and down the house or using repeater.
Kiwi8
19-11-2008, 10:04 AM
The latency is a little too high I feel. Even wireless G latency is lower a little. :o
RITS_SOLUTION
19-11-2008, 10:40 AM
But I was thinking, isn't 9ms still good for gaming. Cause I don't lag in dota games.
chunlianghere
19-11-2008, 12:16 PM
surely i tink it wont cause any lag. jus tat u wil be abit slower than other user playing. which u wil be lag behind by other user.
albertchng
19-11-2008, 12:40 PM
How terrible will the latency gets in a small home network... only need to worry about internet latency... over a long distance, it maybe within Singapore or within asia.
phuque99
21-11-2008, 01:59 PM
Just curious for test purposes, can you compare the speed if both plus are on the same power strip and there's nothing on the strip except the 2 homeplug. I think that might show true speed of the device?
shadowandy
21-11-2008, 06:34 PM
Just curious for test purposes, can you compare the speed if both plus are on the same power strip and there's nothing on the strip except the 2 homeplug. I think that might show true speed of the device?

I managed to hit 55mbps thru the homeplugs (http://www.shadowandy.net/2007/09/aztech-200mbps-speed-test.htm) while testing it back in 2007
Aztech HQ
21-11-2008, 06:41 PM
This is an informative post on your HomePlug experience. Direct is always better. Do you know we have the 200Mbps HomePlug with extra socket too?

http://www.aztech.com/sg/prod_homeplug.html

:)
bykte
21-11-2008, 09:49 PM
Does Aztech even bother about providing firmware upgrades for homeplugs at all? From the look of http://www.aztech.com/Support/drivers.html, I've yet to see a single firmware upgrade for any of the homeplug at all.
liangtam
21-11-2008, 09:58 PM
Does aztech have any 109RN for trial? :D

to bykte, email/call them bah? Most IT coy usually may have updated firmware but didnt upload on website becos its a alpha/beta release etc.
bykte
21-11-2008, 10:22 PM
Yeah. Noted. Thanks. I would like to test the 109RN as a trial too.
Aztech HQ
24-11-2008, 05:31 PM
Does Aztech even bother about providing firmware upgrades for homeplugs at all? From the look of http://www.aztech.com/Support/drivers.html, I've yet to see a single firmware upgrade for any of the homeplug at all.

Hi, if you would like to do so, PM me. We do not have a link for homeplug firmware upgrades because it may be complicated for people who are "technically-inclined".
daniel0ng
04-12-2008, 08:52 PM
Hi, if you would like to do so, PM me. We do not have a link for homeplug firmware upgrades because it may be complicated for people who are "technically-inclined".

I don't think that this is a very professional statement from Aztech.

Those who aren't "techincally-inclined" wouldn't even be asking about firmware in the first place. It's incredible that such updates are done on a case-by-case basis.
liangtam
04-12-2008, 09:34 PM
I don't think that this is a very professional statement from Aztech.

Those who aren't "techincally-inclined" wouldn't even be asking about firmware in the first place. It's incredible that such updates are done on a case-by-case basis.

oh, huai so serious?

Don't be surprise normal users brick their other device due to improper preparations etc.

Anyway, let them do it lor, they will have to return u a set if they brick it themselves in a very unlikely case, haha.
lenkiatleong
05-12-2008, 10:15 AM
Using Power packet utility from http://www.aztech.com/Support/drivers.html and my pair of HL105E , i can get 77-85 Mbps connection and the signal strength is almost full bar to full bar from any of my rooms to the router upstair. This is only possible when homeplugs are directly connected to the wall power sockets.

From utilities.starhub.com, i can get average 15Mbps from any rooms. I reckon that using HL109EP (200Mbps), download speed should increase but i have no budget to buy them to test and post it here.

I was procrastinating whether to get electrician to lay UTP cables or simply to buy homeplugs. Cable is the best solution but it would be good if Aztech could reduce the prices to more affordable level, i.e., selling on volume.
molecule
05-12-2008, 12:07 PM
I've been using hte 105E for a few years now. I have never done any scientific testing but it is steady and fast. Compared to wireless this is a much better solution, especially for streaming video from a NAS, no bandwidth issues at all. You do need to plug it directly to wall socket tho, that is extemely important as evident in these tests.
slow_mo
05-12-2008, 02:14 PM
Hi, any difference between home plug on multi plug to wall and home plug on power strip?? Or are they the same?
galliano
05-12-2008, 04:27 PM
I've been using hte 105E for a few years now. I have never done any scientific testing but it is steady and fast. Compared to wireless this is a much better solution, especially for streaming video from a NAS, no bandwidth issues at all. You do need to plug it directly to wall socket tho, that is extemely important as evident in these tests.

Been using the 85Mbs HomePlug for a long time liao loh. Pretty stable and works as its suppose to be.

I'm using it with a multi-plug. No issues yet.

Was contemplating on buying the new N Router + built-in HomePlug ... :D
bykte
05-12-2008, 04:58 PM
Been using the 85Mbs HomePlug for a long time liao loh. Pretty stable and works as its suppose to be.

I'm using it with a multi-plug. No issues yet.

Was contemplating on buying the new N Router + built-in HomePlug ... :D


Please buy it and tell us how it goes. Review :)
daniel0ng
20-12-2008, 11:36 AM
Just got myself a pair of 109's, and I did some ping tests compared to my Wireless-G setup.

Comparing TS's ping times using the default packet size shows that wireless (WL) setups have a lower ping time (faster) as compared to homeplugs (HP).

However, when I increased the packet size to the maximum (ping -l 65500), the WL setup saw ping times of up to 200ms, whereas the HP setup saw timings of 50-70ms thereabouts.

(sorry for not having screenshots)

Generally, my home network setup feels more responsive with the HP now as compared to before :)
MrJacky
20-12-2008, 12:51 PM
Anyone has tried playing FPS games (Counter-Strike, Battlefield 2, etc.) using the HomePlugs?