ZyXEL PLA4215KIT 500 Mbps Powerline Pass-thru Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Up to 500Mbps

Pros: I generally don’t write reviews, I am writing here because I want to share some information I was desperately looking for before buying a homeplug unit. This unit works seamlessly with my existing CISCO PLK300 unit. I was trying to search over the internet a product which I could use to extend my existing homeplug network. CISCO PLK unit is combination of model number PLE300 which is the entry point [to be connected to router] and model number PLS300 which is the exit point of the network. ZyXEL PLA4215KIT has no such specification any unit out of 2 can be connected to the router. Other unit works as a client automatically. If there is already a unit connected to the router [cisco PLE300] , both units of PLA4215KIT works like client to that unit. So in summary, I have PLE300 connected to router as entry point, I have 3 exit points, 1 unit of PLS300 and 2 units of PLA4215KIT. Hope this helps who is looking for interoperability of homeplug units. I have not enabled encryption in my setup.

Cons: None

Pros: It works!

I have a router placed over 200 feet from my house that collects the signal from a neighbor that is kind enough to share his internet with me. The Zyxel is hooked to the extension cord and from there, it brings the signal back to my home... over 250 feet of extension cord has been used to power my wireless router.

This little device is currently sending 100mbs and received 72mbs through wiring that is dating from the 90s. Even with all the other rooms and wiring in my house, this thing works like a charm and allows me to get internet to my two towers, laptop and iPad... it works wonderfully!

Thanks, ZyXel!

Cons: I didn't buy this model first...

I purchased a bargain one and I got what I paid for...

Other Thoughts: While many of the other users of the Ethernet Over Powerline have had complaints of the poor performance between the various rooms of their homes and businesses, this device has worked wonderfully for the application I put it to.

I didn't expect it to have more then 50 or 60mbs performance, but it has really surprised me with what it has done.

I still have more testing to do to see if it plays World of Warcraft or League of Legends with little to no lag on more than one computer at a time. I'll write back later when I get that testing done.

Pros: I live on the 1st floor in 6 floor appartment building (about 50 years old) and it works through the meters (in the basement) for my neighbour (she also lives on the 1st floor). Getting minimum 25/25 Mbps with 0 drops.

Cons: none so far

Pros: Sitting stable 7% network utilization 100 Mbps on the windows task manager. The router it is hooked up to only has 100 Mbps connections (yeah it is old and due for replacement) - but I wanted to make sure these devices where not the bottle neck. I ran a transfer for a solid 8 hours and did not have any drops - my wireless would drop at least ever hour.

I had a couple of 200 Mbps powerline ethernet adaptors (different brand) and I would barely get 1% network utilization 100 Mbps on the windows task manager and it would not be stable at all (dropping all the time).

Cons: The included software is a bit weak. It would have been a bit nice to have include software to display, in real time, the speed between the two devices. Although you really do not need the software include to to get going.

Other Thoughts: I will need to find some better software to monitor the actual through put of the devices.

I can hardly wait for the the 1000 Mbps adaptors to come out.

Pros: Easy Install. Super Throughput. Remember, the throughput is only as good as your worst bottleneck. I am getting the top 500Mbps. Zyxel has always been good to me.

Cons: None

Pros: Easy setup and no noticeable loss in signal.

Cons: None

Pros: I got one pair. This runs very stable and fast. The fastest PL adapter I had used so far. I got 4MB(Byte)/second on up stairs where cable modem is in the B-Room. Just plug in and it works.

Cons: 4MB = 33,554,432 bits = 33Mbs = 6.7% of 500Mbs

Pros: Easy install and the pass thru power plug is critical - these things are huge

Cons: 300mb within 5ft, 50-100 within 20 ft and 0-20 within 30 ft across a room in a 5 year old house. Buy a wireless ethernet converter instead for 1/2 the price and infinitely better performance - that is what I have to do now

Pros: I've got HTPCs (plural) and the 802.11N network in my house just couldn't keep up, especially when there was enough RF noise. My house isn't fishable for CAT6 (other than exterior wall penetration) and I previously had CAT6 hanging on the walls.
I've got a ZyXEL PLA4205KIT & ZyXEL PLA4215KIT (4 total units) & finally can take down the CAT6 in the halls & stairs.

Cons: First, get the PLA4205KIT instead. The 4215 essentially takes up both plugs of a standard US plate. The plug on the 4215 really doesn't buy you anything over the 4205 (only needs 1 plug space), other than a larger credit card bill.
Next, don't expect to get anywhere near 500Mbps. I'm getting about to get 33-37 Mbps (4-4.5 MBps), so less than 10% of advertised speed. House was built '97, so I've got recent electrical. Most HD streams are 8-12 Mbps, so if you need 1-2 additional HTPC frontends elsewhere, you'll be fine. I wouldn't put multiple HDHRs in one room & the storage back-end in another.

Allegedly the technology uses a frequency transmitted on the electrical lines that deals with multiple electrical phases (all lines in your house aren't directly connected to one another) better than the older X10 stuff. I didn't diagnose the electrical situation in my house, so I don't know what outlets are on which phase.

Other Thoughts: If you're going to use more than 2 of these (like me), keep in mind the electrical wires in your house are a shared medium, and the network will have characteristics of a bridge than a switch --- the bandwidth is for the entire house, not point-to-point.
Surge suppressors are known to give all Homeplug AV devices problems & the HPAV device needs to be plugged directly into wall. If you worry about surges (ie: you already have invested in a surge suppressor), you should run the ethernet cable from the wall through a surge suppression device (your current one may or may not already have one) before it gets to your computer or network switch/router, otherwise lightning may strike your PC through the network cable.
Star deductions were for using 2 outlets & not being able to even get 10% of advertised speed.

Pros: Works perfectly. Plug and Play!! I am extremely satisfied. Fast and stable. Power pass-through works perfectly

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: I am using the Zexel 500 Mbps to deliver Ethernet to my living room media station. I have a TV, an XBOX, a ROKU, an HTPC and a Dish HD receiver. I wanted to have all these connected to a fast stable network connection. The Zexel plus a 5 port switch did the trick. I tried streaming a 1080P movie. Netflix on ROKU @ 1080P looks awesome. This is my first attempt at Powerline. I was waiting for greater speeds. I could not resist jump at 500 Mbps. I am very happy with the performance of the product. I considered Trednet’s equivalent product but thr Zexel reviewed better from end users.