TRENDnet TPL-303E2K 200Mbps Powerline Adapter

Written by Colin Armstrong - Edited by Olin Coles

Sunday, 15 August 2010

Table of Contents: Page Index
TRENDnet TPL-303E2K 200Mbps Powerline Adapter
Closer Look: Powerline AV Adapter Kit
Powerline AV Adapter Kit Software Features
NAS Testing Methodology
Powerline Adapter Test Results
Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Page 1 of 6

TRENDnet TPL-303E2K Powerline AV Adapter Kit

With the growing demand of faster and more accessible internet, new technologies such as fiber optics are being introduced. It's only natural that companies like TRENDnet are coming up with innovative and easier ways to allow you to use this technology in your home. TRENDnet has recently introduced the TPL-303E2K 200Mbps Powerline AV adapter kit for specifically this reason. The TRENDnet TPL-303E2K uses the existing wiring in your home or office to provide a secure, high-speed network. By connecting one adapter to your router and the other to the ethernet port on your computer, you're able to easily give internet access to that computer just like it was plugged directly into the router. With support for up to 8 adapters, a network with many devices is able to be created. Within this article, Benchmark Reviews tests and benchmarks the TRENDnet 200Mbps Powerline AV Adapter kit TPL-303E2K.

Hardwiring your network would naturally be the easiest way to obtain internet, however sometimes it's unfeasible, specifically for home or small offices. Those who are unable to hardwire often turn to the next alternative: wireless. In some cases this technology is also unable to be used, such as in an apartment or a house with interference. A less obvious technology strives to solve this problem: powerline networking.

Powerline technology has many advantages over a standard wireless network. It's quite inexpensive; no extra equipment is needed, other than the AV Adapter. The network uses your existing powerlines. It's also easier to install, as every room in a typical house has several electrical outlets. This kit would be useful for those unable to connect to a standard wireless network.

TRENDnet 200Mbps Powerline AV Adapter Kit

Simply put, the Powerline AV Adapter kit is an interesting technology which allows users who would otherwire be unable to connect to a network to connect to one easily.

Manufacturer: TRENDnet
Product Name: 200Mbps Powerline AV Adapter Kit
Model Number: TPL-303E2K
Price As Tested: $94

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by TRENDnet.

Powerline AV Adapter Features

* High speed building-wide networking from any electrical outlet
* Seamlessly stream videos, play games, and download files
* Use one to transmit and up to 7 TPL-303Es to receive a networked signal
* Advanced AES data encryption

TPL-303E2K Kit Specifications

* Enjoy high speed building-wide networking over an existing connected electrical system
* One-touch connect button networks adapters quickly
* Plug & Play support
* Windows based configuration utility for a quick and simple installation
* Share data intensive files, play games, download music and more at very fast data transfer rates
* Advanced encryption (AES) ensure total network security
* Power Saving mode supports low power consumption
* IPv4 and IPv6 network protocol support
* Supports Wake-On-Link when in Standby mode
* Neighbor network support for up to 4 overlapping networks
* Connect one 200Mbps Powerline AV Adapter to the Internet and then plug in up to 7 additional adapters for instant building connectivity
* Network signal transmitted up to 300 meters (984ft.)
* Auto QoS support through traffic classification and multiple priority queuing
* Configuration utility compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP operating systems
* 3-year limited warranty

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Comments

# Most impressive speed — K Gregory 2010-08-15 12:49

Great review and testing methods. I really like the powerline product in every way. It can serve as an option for granting access to isolated areas or places that are difficult to wire.

I'm curious if 'conditioned' power would increase the throughput. Such as a basic line conditioner (Tripp Lite, Belkin, etc.) on both outlets and then the powerline product is connected to the line conditioner. Any interest in this setup and test for better throughput?

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# RE: Most impressive speed — Olin Coles 2010-08-15 13:27

Power line conditioning is not something that occurs throught the entire circuit, only to devices behind the conditioned endpoint (UPS, etc).

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# Correct, wasn't implying otherwise — K Gregory 2010-08-16 08:14

There simply must be associative performance with a product like the Trendnet PowerLine product and fluctuations on a circuit in many homes as your review touches on a bit. Thus the curiosity I have for some voltage regulation\power conditioning at the TX and RX points that may reflect better throughput and reliability. I can't comprehend that there wouldn't be any change if the noise is reduced or eliminated, and the many overvolts,undervolts and the like are addressed by a voltage regulator\power conditioner. Am I correct that you believe otherwise?

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# Very Interesting — John Darcy 2010-08-16 10:25

I was very interested by this article. I had heard about the technology but never seen a review or known of its use anywhere by anyone, or even discussed as an alternative to wireless impaired areas. I was happily elucidated this morning by this review.
As you pointed out, this can be a great addition to home and small business networking; the speed it what caught my attention.
I will be looking for this and might even give it a try early next year. I use wireless on a couple of my computers because i didnt want to drill through walls for the cat5 or cat 6 ethernet connections.
I enjoyed being enlightened and having my curiosity peeked as well by this review.

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# 200 Mbps or 100 Mbps — Digital.Ark 2010-09-30 09:43

What I don't get, is why this thing would be advertised as capable of up to 200 Mbps under ideal wiring conditions over short distances, but only supports up to 100 Mbps on it's Ethernet port. Wouldn't you need Gigabit Ethernet to support up to 200 Mbps?

Presumably, this thing is only capable of up to 100 Mbps theoretically, because of the bottleneck at the Ethernet port.

Am I missing something? Because the box clearly says 200 Mbps powerline, and 100 Mbps Ethernet on the specifications list.

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# 100 Mbps Full duplex — Final Frontier 2010-10-06 03:06

Ever thought about full duplex on Fastethernet ? The marketing department makes it 2 x 100 Mbps = 200Mbps

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# Great Alternative to Wireless — Kevin T 2011-05-19 13:49

Great review and testing method. This was exactly the information I was looking for before deciding to set up my network. Sounds like a great alternative to wireless although the speeds cannot compare to traditional ethernet.

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