Zyxel PL-100 HomePlug Powerline Ethernet Adapter
Manufacturer: ZyXEL Communications Corp. Part number: 91-014-004011
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- If you like cheap-and-easy networking, Zyxel PL-100 HomePlug Turbo Powerline Ethernet Adapters are a no-brainer for a variety of home network scenarios.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Zyxel PL-100 HomePlug Powerline Ethernet Adapter price range: $49.99
- Reviewed by: Matthew Elliott
- Edited by: Katy Sullivan
- Reviewed on: 08/24/2006
- Released on: 01/05/2006
The good: The Zyxel PL-100 Powerline Ethernet Adapters are exceptionally easy to install, they provide a secure network, and they're priced lower than competing adapters.
The bad: The Zyxel PL-100 adapters offer slower throughput than competing products and, like any power-line adapter, you must deal with Ethernet and power cords with each networked device.
The bottom line: If you like cheap-and-easy networking, Zyxel PL-100 HomePlug Turbo Powerline Ethernet Adapters are a no-brainer for a variety of home network scenarios.
Setting up the Zyxel PL-100 adapters is a snap--truly plug-and-play. The silver-and-black adapter is the size of a small alarm clock and supplies one Ethernet port, a 4.5-foot Ethernet cable, a power connection, and a 6-foot power cable. You'll need at least two adapters to establish a power-line network. We connected the first adapter to a Netgear Ethernet router (you can connect it directly into your cable or DSL router, as well), and we plugged it into the wall. We then connected the other unit to a laptop and plugged the adapter into the wall. Without even needing to reboot the laptop, we had an instant connection to the Internet.
The Zyxel PL-100 adapters feature three LEDs--Power, Link, and Ethernet--that let you know that the unit is receiving power, as well as whether it is receiving or sending data and whether it's connected to your Ethernet cable. The included CD contains a configuration utility that provides diagnostics and lets you protect your network with 56-bit Data Encryption Security (DES). We did not need to bother with the included setup utility to get the adapters working. You can network up to 15 other adapters from the main unit connected to your router.
In our Labs' tests, the Zyxel PL-100 HomePlug Turbo Powerline Ethernet Adapters clocked in at a consistent 29.6Mbps--slower than both the Netgear Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter's 52.7Mbps rate and the Panasonic HD-PLC's 35.4Mbps rate. While 29.6Mbps is well off Zyxel's theoretical maximum of 85Mbps, it's still more than enough for broadband Web surfing. This rate will also suffice for transmitting high-def content; HDTV peaks at 28Mbps, and the standard rate for over-the-air HD broadcasts is 19.4Mbps.
Zyxel backs the PL-100 with a two-year warranty. Telephone support requires a toll call and is available weekdays from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. PT. You can fill out a form on Zyxel's Web site and submit it to the company's support staff for help. You can also search through the knowledge base, which contained two entries regarding the PL-100 product at the time of this writing.
User reviews
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All day strong and all day long
by copperb on January 19, 2007
Pros: Bargain, Easy install, 30Mbp
Cons: No found so far.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Solid Performer
by danunson on December 1, 2009
Pros: Once hooked up works well, solid connection. Good price compared to competitors
Cons: Speed is only OK
Summary: I work in IT so hookup was relatively simple for me, I think it would be easy enough for anyone but I don't think it is completely plug and ...
Summary: I work in IT so hookup was relatively simple for me, I think it would be easy enough for anyone but I don't think it is completely plug and play as stated in the review. I've never had an outage, the system is rock solid however speed is only OK, my house is only 9 years old so I would think the lines would be perfectly fine however the speed is only about 25-30% of rated speed, the outlet just above where I have the unit hooked up to the router is going at 31 Mbps and one at the other end of the house is at 22 Mbps. That is OK but not high speed by any means. But overall I'm quite satisfied with the product and the price, no major complaints here.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: ZyXEL Communications Corp.
- Part number: 91-014-004011
- Description: The ZyXEL Power Line is an extended access solution that allows your house to be completely networked with existing power lines. With no need for additional wiring, simply connect the ZyXEL Home Plug PL-100 to an existing power socket, and it will transform your electrical power lines into a house-wide network infrastructure. It's the easy way to allow data and power to share the same power socket. Powered by HomePlug Turbo Technology, the ZyXEL PL-100 can achieve data rates of up to 85Mbps. The power line solution allows users surf the web, access e-mail, and deliver large files easily and safely using high-speed Power Line connections. With 56-bit Data Encryption Security (DES) capability, the PL-100 provides secure Internet access and allows file and peripheral sharing. Now you can surf the Internet from any room in your home through the network over existing power lines. No new wiring is required. The ZyXEL PL-100 is an ideal solution for residential users requiring LAN extension without laying new cables. Simply plug the ZyXEL PL-100 into a power socket to access the in-house Internet or PC network.
General
- Device Type Bridge
- Width 4.4 in
- Depth 4.2 in
- Height 1.1 in
- Weight 6.6 oz
Networking
- Form factor External
- Connectivity technology Wired
- Data transfer rate 85 Mbps
- Line coding format DBPSK, DQPSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM
- Data link protocol Ethernet, HomePlug 1.0, Fast Ethernet
- Spread Spectrum Method OFDM
- Max Range Open Space 984 ft
- Status indicators Power, Link activity
- Features 56-bit encryption
- Encryption Algorithm DES
Communications
- Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) None
- Interfaces 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x Network
- Compatible Slots None
Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards CE, FCC
Environmental Parameters
- Min operating temperature 32 °F
- Max operating temperature 113 °F
- Operating humidity range 10 - 90%
Manufacturer info
- ZyXEL Communications Corp.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse ZyXEL Communications Corp. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.zyxel.com/
- Address:
4920 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92807 - Phone: 714/693-0808
- Email: support@zyxel.com
