Netgear 85Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Adapter ( XE103-100NAS )

Average customer rating: 4.0

It works - simple as that.
WALL PLUG ETHERNET
Rodney
Networking made easy!
Testing of the XE103-100NAS

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Netgear 85Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Adapter ( XE103-100NAS )

Manufacturer: Netgear
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B000GQXDY8
2006-07-31

Related Categories:

Powerline Networking

Powerline Networking

Product Description

NETGEAR's 85 Mbps Wall-Plugged Ethernet Adapter (XE103) is the fast solution for extending your home network by using standard electrical outlets. It delivers everything you need to set up an Internet connection in any room without running new wires. Once it is inserted into the wall outlet, simply plug one XE103 into your router and another XE103 into any Ethernet ready device. For instance, you can use its 10/100 Ethernet port to connect a desktop or notebook PC, a gaming console, NETGEAR's SC101 Storage Central, a Slingbox, a DVR or NETGEAR's PS121 USB Print Server. You eliminate dead spots in your wireless network, while enjoying a fast 85 Mbps speed capable of transmitting multiple video streams at once and without interruption. With no software to install, setup is literally a matter of Plug and Play.

Customer Reviews:

It works - simple as that........2007-04-17

I've got one of these, and three of the 4-port switch version of this 85Mbps adapter. They have all worked without fail - just plug them in, and they find each other.

You won't get 85Mbps, so don't be surprised when each one comes online at its own speed. However, it has meant I can connect a bunch of non-wireless devices (e.g. a web cam, and my Tivos with USB Ethernet adapters) to my home network in roughly 30 seconds.

Thoroughly recommended.

WALL PLUG ETHERNET.......2007-04-11

IT TOOK 10 MIN TO SET UP AND WORKED FIRST TIME IN AN AREA WHERE WIRELESS ETHERNET COULD NOT REACH. GOOD PRODUCT.

Rodney.......2007-03-08

The concept of the unit is that you can use your house wiring as the carrier for the signal. The problem with the design is that it cannot overcome the physics of electricity. Netgear does not clearly explain that you cannot push the signal past the homes breaker system in their ads and hence the only way this system works is if your router is on the same circuit as the adapter. New homes break up room/equipment loads into smaller circuits for safety virtually stopping the use of a system like this. My complaint for netgear is that this is not put out there as a significant technical consideration. Although I continued to use their router I had to go wireless to make the system work and wasted money and time getting to the solution.

Networking made easy!.......2007-02-12

This product is so excellent that I now own 3 of them and am heartily recommending them to all my friends who are networking-challenged. I have one connected to my XBox 360 so that I can stream music, video and pictures from my computer. I mainly use it to view my pictures on large screen. Of course, I can also be on XBox live for games.
The other adapter is installed near my ReplayTV for sharing video online. I can't recommend this product enough!

Testing of the XE103-100NAS.......2007-02-11

I like hard data as well as opinions, and could not find much on this device. I tested these units for my own benefit, and provide the test, analysis, and my opinion to assist you.

Description/Test Setup/Notes

Description:
Determine Netgear XE103 throughput in real life situation.
Comparison with 802.11B wireless throughput in the same test situation.

Test Setup:
Two Windows XP SP2 endpoints with intervening switch.
XE103 Route - Computer1:Switch:XE103:Power Wiring:XE103:Computer2
802.11B Route - Computer1:Switch:802.11B AP:Air:802.11B PCMCIA:Computer2

Test based upon transfer of folder from Computer1 to Computer2.
Size of transfer = 376 MB (395,129,843 bytes).
No other devices on network, except those described.
No other activity on test computers, other than transfer monitoring.

Test results will be time of transfer.
Transfer monitored by network bandwidth monitoring software.
Netgear Encyption Utility, supplied with XE103, displays connection rates.
The XE103 devices are using maximum encryption supported, 56-bit.
The 802.11B devices are using maimum encryption supported, 128-bit.
All values recorded for comparison and analysis.

Notes:
The XE103 devices are affected by household wiring.
Quoted 85Mbps rate will only be found where devices in very close proximity.
Computer2 is located close to AP for 802.11B maximum rate and signal
reliability.
Computer2 is not located in same room as Computer1, power line routing
unknown, but not a great physical distance.

The XE103 provides extra security and network partitioning by using a
network identifier. All devices that will communicate together are
configured by the user to use the same network identifier.

Special Notes:
When comparing bps and Bps, there are some general rules of thumb.
In wired LAN environments, rule of thumb is 10 bits per byte, resulting in a 10:1 ratio between bps (bits-per-second) and Bps (bytes-per-second).
In wireless LAN environments, rule of thumb is 20 bits per byte (extra framing overhead, encryption), resulting in a 20:1 ratio.
Though not exact, you may find these values useful in comparing products.

In both wired and wireless cases, manufacturers quote highest rate possible at the lowest communications level.

Test Results:

XE103
Netgear Utility displayed rate between XE103 devices = 42 Mbps
Bandwidth Monitor displayed rate = 1.2 MBps
Transfer time = 372 seconds = 1,062,177 Bps

802.11B
Device setup utility displayed maximum signal and rate = 11 Mbps
Bandwidth Monitor displayed rate = 462 KBps
Transfer time = 985 seconds = 401,147 Bps

Test Analysis:

The XE103 performed 2.65 faster over the 802.11B in a timed comparison.

Product Opinion:

I have noticed that the Netgear Utility shows flunctuating rate values during different time periods. The lowest rate has been 18 Mbps, highest 45 Mbps.

The XE103 is at a premium price when compared with other powerline models.
If similar test data can be found, it may be more cost effective to use a less expensive model (manufacturer quoted as 14 Mbps).

If Internet surfing is main desire for the remote computer, then comparison of ISP provider rate to these tests results should be done.

For highest security and speed, nothing will surpass a wired network.
Powerline and wireless are a great convenience.
Judge which is best by comparing your needs and desires for speed and
security.

I hope that this helps in your research.

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