03/07/2023, 10:48 AM
(30/06/2023, 08:47 PM)Seán Wrote: To start with, I suggest installing the self-hosted OpenSpeedtest App on one of the wired PCs. This will let you run speed tests within the network to that PC. Try also running a continuous ping test from the HTPC to both a PC and the router, e.g. two minimised command prompt windows while you are streaming TV in the living room. When your streaming services start giving issues, run a speed test from the HTPC or the affected phones to that PC.
If the speed test is very low, e.g. under 20Mbps (4K typically requires 10 to 20Mbps sustained throughput per stream), then this confirms the wireless backhaul is the problem. If the speed is fine, have a look at the two command prompt windows for any ping spikes (over 10ms) or times outs. For example, if the window pinging the router has ping spikes or timeouts, but not the window pinging the PC, this indicates a problem with the Gigabit Powerline.
It would also be worth trying speed tests between the two Powerline adapters in the evening vs. the day. For example, it is quite possible that various electronics switched on in the evening is reducing the Powerline performance due to the additional electrical interference, especially from LED lighting.
Thank you for such a detailed reply! I'll definitely give your suggestions a go when I have a few hours to myself in the house!
One thing is moot though: before I saw your post I did buy another one of the powerline adaptors (they're Devolo Magic LANs) just to see if that would do any good. It arrived yesterday, and within 30 minutes I'd established that I am unable to pair a powerline adaptor plugged in downstairs to the other two that are upstairs. They just don't see each other. If I move the new one upstairs then it joins the network immediately, but it just doesn't when downstairs. I can only imagine that this is because there are two separate ring mains in my house, with separate fuses, and this somehow prevents powerline connection between them. So the powerline is going back.
Quote:I would avoid adding another Gigabit Powerline as this will reduce the performance of the Powerline network. Instead, you can try swapping the primary MW6 node with the Living room MW6 node and connect the Powerline adapter to it. With the nodes swapped you can connect the two PCs to the two ports of the MW6 node.
I guess the pairing issue I identified above negates this suggestion too, right? Because if I understand correctly you are suggesting that I swap things around so that the living room node is the master node, plugged into a powerline adaptor downstairs that links directly to the router in the roof. This doesn't look like it will work as I apparently cannot connect powerlines across the two floors in the house...