DOTASG_PAPA
05-11-2008, 02:42 AM
http://www.aztech.com/images/logo_top.gif
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_box.JPG
Today, we will bring you a tech review of an interesting networking product from Aztech. The product is call Homeplug Turbo 85Mps (Start Pack). This is the perfect solution for anyone looking mobility freedom when considering home networking solution. Want a stable connection so that you do not get disconnected by your home network when in crucial game of DotA? Then do not miss out this review.
http://www.aztech.com/images/dia_hl105e.gif
Courtesy of Aztech, we had with us the Homeplug Turbo 85Mbps starter pack for testing and reviewing. Opening the box, we will find two home plugs, two lan cables, a manual, a installer CD and warranty card. The manual is very straight forward and first look seems like installation would be a breeze. Turn our that my intuition is correct, read on and you will see what I mean.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_unbox3.JPG
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_unbox2.JPG
Unboxing of the goodies.
For beginner, you would need a pair of the homeplugs. Installation of the homeplugs is as simple as connecting up one of the homeplug to your first device (probably a modem, router, switch or hub) with the provided lan cable. Then continue on to connect the other homeplug to your targeted device like laptop, computer or gaming console. Now with your two device connected up by the homeplugs, you are good to go with them. They can be to connect you up anywhere in your home where there are electrical socket within reach. And the best thing is that these babies are low power consumption thus it would not add significant stress to your power bill. And for your network expansion, just add one more homeplug for each device to be added to the network.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_socket.JPG
Connecting one of the babies
to the electrical socket.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_pair.JPG
Need at least a pair to work.
The lan cable will plug into the RJ45 socket at the bottom of the homeplug. On the top of the homeplugs there are three leds for indication of power, connection and data activity. The size is a few times bigger than normal three ping plug so be careful of switch being block because they are small and located near to the socket holes. They are using three pin so it will be easier to plug into local most commonly used three pin electrical socket. Led indicators will show the current power, connection and data activities status.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_top.JPG
Led indicators on the face of the homeplug.
RJ45 socket (black) at bottom of it.
The thing I like about these homeplugs is that I do not need to install any driver at all and no need to set or change any configuration at all. The latest os would be able to detect them automatically and make them work. When I was setting them up preparing them for testing just now, the whole process was fast and effortless. With minutes, I am connected and till now I am posting this article still using connection via homeplug network between my machine and my router. All it take is less than 5mins to set them up. Yes, you never hear me wrong, only 5 mins and my two devices are linked up within the network in perfect working condition. A round of test of DotA on Bnet proves that they are doing their job well in providing smooth and fast connection.
A couple of ping test where carried out by pinging our router. The tests show that it provide a fast and stable connection, with ping response within 2-3ms range.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_ping.jpg
I am sure you will ask, "Won't wireless devices would give us the same thing?". Good question, they are not the same, and I will tell you why the homeplugs excel over wireless devices. Nowadays as wireless devices gets so common, and with neighbors around using these wireless devices too, you will have all the wireless signals criss crossing, leading to the possibility where your wireless signal get affected by these. And specially for those living in HDBs, the chances of wireless signal being affected get bigger. All because of the the close proximity of you and your neighbor. And for those living in bigger estate do think you are spared from problem faced with wireless device, due to the multiple walls or the distant where your wireless signal needs to travel to your target device from the wireless device, the signal might degrade too. Sometime other than unstable connection, there are situation you will be left high and dry with no wireless signal to connect to.
Official specs
Protocol/Standards:
HomePlug 1.0 specification, IEEE 802.3 10/100 Ethernet (100Mbps) and IEEE 802.3u Fast Ethernet Compliant
10/100 Mbps AutoMDI/MDIx Support
85Mbps Homeplug 1.0 compatible
Modulation Support:
OFDM 256/64/16, DQPSK, DBPSK and ROBO Modulation Scheme
Frequency Band:
4.3 Mhz to 20.9 Mhz band
Quality of Service:
Forward Error Correction (FEC) support
Channel Adaptation ensures that signal integrity is maintained even under harsh noise environment
CSMA/CA with prioritization and ARQ for reliable delivery of Ethernet packets via Packet Encapsulation
Four Level prioritized random access method
Segment bursting and contention-free access ensures high throughput while maintaining low latency response and jitter performance
Security Support
56 bit DES Encryption with key management for secure powerline communications (Utilise Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP to enable encryption)
HARDWARE:
Intellon INT5500 Integrated Single-chip Powerline Network Transceiver
Intellon INT1200 Analog Front End IC
PLATFORM SUPPORT:
OS Independent with TCP/IP protocol installed
POWER SUPPLY:
Switch Mode 90V-264V Supply for Europe/UK/US/Australia plugs
LED Indicators:
1 x Power LED
1 x Powerline Link Status LED
1 x Ethernet Link/Activity Status LED
TEMPERATURE:
Operating : 0 o to 40 o Celsius
32 o to 104 o Fahrenheit
Non-Operating : -25 o to 70 o Celsius
-13 o to 158 o Fahrenheit
HUMIDITY:
Operating : 30% to 80% Relative Humidity (Non-Condensing)
Non-Operating : 30% to 95% Relative Humidity (Non-Condensing)
NOTE : Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
Conclusion:
Aztech's Homeplug Turbo 85Mbps preforms really well in connection up device to your home network. Also freeing you from limitation of mobility with traditional lan wire connection. With the new found freedom you are free to be connected anywhere where electrical socket can be found. Wan to expand just add one more homeplug, you can get them as single set also. They are pretty affordable, especially for it's function and performance it is value for money. DotaSG gives it 4.5/5 score. The missing 0.5 score would be added and make the score perfect if it these homeplugs can come in more colors. Then it will be easier to match with consumer's various home decor theme. Other than that, there is actually not much else to nitpick about.
Special thanks to Aztech for the support.
Hope all DotaSG users will enjoy this tech review.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_box.JPG
Today, we will bring you a tech review of an interesting networking product from Aztech. The product is call Homeplug Turbo 85Mps (Start Pack). This is the perfect solution for anyone looking mobility freedom when considering home networking solution. Want a stable connection so that you do not get disconnected by your home network when in crucial game of DotA? Then do not miss out this review.
http://www.aztech.com/images/dia_hl105e.gif
Courtesy of Aztech, we had with us the Homeplug Turbo 85Mbps starter pack for testing and reviewing. Opening the box, we will find two home plugs, two lan cables, a manual, a installer CD and warranty card. The manual is very straight forward and first look seems like installation would be a breeze. Turn our that my intuition is correct, read on and you will see what I mean.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_unbox3.JPG
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_unbox2.JPG
Unboxing of the goodies.
For beginner, you would need a pair of the homeplugs. Installation of the homeplugs is as simple as connecting up one of the homeplug to your first device (probably a modem, router, switch or hub) with the provided lan cable. Then continue on to connect the other homeplug to your targeted device like laptop, computer or gaming console. Now with your two device connected up by the homeplugs, you are good to go with them. They can be to connect you up anywhere in your home where there are electrical socket within reach. And the best thing is that these babies are low power consumption thus it would not add significant stress to your power bill. And for your network expansion, just add one more homeplug for each device to be added to the network.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_socket.JPG
Connecting one of the babies
to the electrical socket.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_pair.JPG
Need at least a pair to work.
The lan cable will plug into the RJ45 socket at the bottom of the homeplug. On the top of the homeplugs there are three leds for indication of power, connection and data activity. The size is a few times bigger than normal three ping plug so be careful of switch being block because they are small and located near to the socket holes. They are using three pin so it will be easier to plug into local most commonly used three pin electrical socket. Led indicators will show the current power, connection and data activities status.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_top.JPG
Led indicators on the face of the homeplug.
RJ45 socket (black) at bottom of it.
The thing I like about these homeplugs is that I do not need to install any driver at all and no need to set or change any configuration at all. The latest os would be able to detect them automatically and make them work. When I was setting them up preparing them for testing just now, the whole process was fast and effortless. With minutes, I am connected and till now I am posting this article still using connection via homeplug network between my machine and my router. All it take is less than 5mins to set them up. Yes, you never hear me wrong, only 5 mins and my two devices are linked up within the network in perfect working condition. A round of test of DotA on Bnet proves that they are doing their job well in providing smooth and fast connection.
A couple of ping test where carried out by pinging our router. The tests show that it provide a fast and stable connection, with ping response within 2-3ms range.
http://www.dotasg.com/images/aztech_ping.jpg
I am sure you will ask, "Won't wireless devices would give us the same thing?". Good question, they are not the same, and I will tell you why the homeplugs excel over wireless devices. Nowadays as wireless devices gets so common, and with neighbors around using these wireless devices too, you will have all the wireless signals criss crossing, leading to the possibility where your wireless signal get affected by these. And specially for those living in HDBs, the chances of wireless signal being affected get bigger. All because of the the close proximity of you and your neighbor. And for those living in bigger estate do think you are spared from problem faced with wireless device, due to the multiple walls or the distant where your wireless signal needs to travel to your target device from the wireless device, the signal might degrade too. Sometime other than unstable connection, there are situation you will be left high and dry with no wireless signal to connect to.
Official specs
Protocol/Standards:
HomePlug 1.0 specification, IEEE 802.3 10/100 Ethernet (100Mbps) and IEEE 802.3u Fast Ethernet Compliant
10/100 Mbps AutoMDI/MDIx Support
85Mbps Homeplug 1.0 compatible
Modulation Support:
OFDM 256/64/16, DQPSK, DBPSK and ROBO Modulation Scheme
Frequency Band:
4.3 Mhz to 20.9 Mhz band
Quality of Service:
Forward Error Correction (FEC) support
Channel Adaptation ensures that signal integrity is maintained even under harsh noise environment
CSMA/CA with prioritization and ARQ for reliable delivery of Ethernet packets via Packet Encapsulation
Four Level prioritized random access method
Segment bursting and contention-free access ensures high throughput while maintaining low latency response and jitter performance
Security Support
56 bit DES Encryption with key management for secure powerline communications (Utilise Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP to enable encryption)
HARDWARE:
Intellon INT5500 Integrated Single-chip Powerline Network Transceiver
Intellon INT1200 Analog Front End IC
PLATFORM SUPPORT:
OS Independent with TCP/IP protocol installed
POWER SUPPLY:
Switch Mode 90V-264V Supply for Europe/UK/US/Australia plugs
LED Indicators:
1 x Power LED
1 x Powerline Link Status LED
1 x Ethernet Link/Activity Status LED
TEMPERATURE:
Operating : 0 o to 40 o Celsius
32 o to 104 o Fahrenheit
Non-Operating : -25 o to 70 o Celsius
-13 o to 158 o Fahrenheit
HUMIDITY:
Operating : 30% to 80% Relative Humidity (Non-Condensing)
Non-Operating : 30% to 95% Relative Humidity (Non-Condensing)
NOTE : Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
Conclusion:
Aztech's Homeplug Turbo 85Mbps preforms really well in connection up device to your home network. Also freeing you from limitation of mobility with traditional lan wire connection. With the new found freedom you are free to be connected anywhere where electrical socket can be found. Wan to expand just add one more homeplug, you can get them as single set also. They are pretty affordable, especially for it's function and performance it is value for money. DotaSG gives it 4.5/5 score. The missing 0.5 score would be added and make the score perfect if it these homeplugs can come in more colors. Then it will be easier to match with consumer's various home decor theme. Other than that, there is actually not much else to nitpick about.
Special thanks to Aztech for the support.
Hope all DotaSG users will enjoy this tech review.